Choosing the Right VendorMaking sure you align your company with vendor partners who will assist you in integrating their new product/service offering long-term are crucial to your success.

The Perfect Partnership, Foam Monument Signs & LED Message CentersYou can offer your clients the best of both worlds. The durability and versatility of a foam monument sign paired with the dynamic messaging and powerful flexibility features of the LED message center create a commanding signage partnership that offers your clients the best of the both worlds.

Snapshot of the Sign Industry 3rd Quarter 2008For SignIndustry.com’s annual ‘pulse taking’ of the state of the sign industry, we peeked and probed into various facets of the industry to get an idea of the state of our trade before going into 2009.

Hershey’s ­ How Sweet It Is: The Eye-Candy of Times SquareIn the middle of all its surrounding Times Square spectaculars, billboards and sign edifices, stands the flagship Hershey Times Square, a retail gift store which is a chocolate confectionary paradise that is the center of the chocolate universe.

Lasers: Ready to Buy-What you Really Need to KnowFor those new to laser technology, buying laser equipment can be an intimidating experience. The word laser often conjures images of danger, mystery, impossible learning curves, and high price tags. However, with the user-friendly, increasingly affordable laser engraving equipment of today, nothing could be further from the truth.

Laser Engraving Part 3: The PossibilitiesThe word, 'versatility' is often used to describe today’s laser engraving and cutting equipment: for good reason. Not only can you use the same system to cut out parts and engrave them, the material and product choices are seemingly endless as are the markets in which people use lasers.

Next-Gen CNC'sCNC routers are getting higher-tech at lower-costs. Find out what bells and whistles the latest models have to offer.

Discover the Rewards of Owning A CNC RouterSee the options available and avenues where sign makers can use CNC routers to get into the commercial signage business and channel letter fabrication. CNC routers provide a broad capability to enter into multiple markets.

Signs From The Spirit WorldEveryone loves an 'Olde Worlde' pub with its oak beams, horse brasses and roaring log fires. Nevertheless, no matter how old the pub itself, the name on the sign outside is probably the most historic thing about the place.

ADAAmericans with Disabilities Act: A Quick ReviewThe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits any employer with 15 or more employees from discriminating against a qualified individual with a disability. Let's learn the basics together.

Coherent Laser Machine Tools Speed Sign Cutting A look under the hood at Intersign producing letters for signs such as those found in the interiors of hotels, office building and hospitals, which are compatible with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with CO2 lasers.

ADA Signs ­ How to Stay Compliant Without SacrificeWith ADA compliance laws on the minds of many sign manufacturers, it is important that compliant signs are both functional ­ in terms of the letter of the law ­ and still attractive ­ in terms of getting people’s attention and drawing new business

A Second Look at ADA SignageOnce you understand the letter of the law, you can work within its boundaries to unlock creative appeal in your ADA-compliant sign projects.

New ADA rules Next generation of proposed federal sign regulations posted for ADA and ABA.

Snapshot of the Sign Industry 3rd Quarter 2008For SignIndustry.com’s annual ‘pulse taking’ of the state of the sign industry, we peeked and probed into various facets of the industry to get an idea of the state of our trade before going into 2009.

Wayfinding: Following the signs along the waySignIndustry.com connected with fd2s and 22MILES, two companies specializing in wayfinding and the art of getting from here to there in a safe, practical way. Take a look to see if you can get there from here.

Oasis of the Sea: Digital Signage Takes a Cruise to WayfindingAs one of the worlds largest cruise ships, the onboard wayfinding system installed to help direct guests to the many ship-board destinations and attractions proves extremely important. To implement a contemporary wayfinding system, it was developed in tandem as both a static (print) system, and an interactive digital system. Read on...

Hershey’s ­ How Sweet It Is: The Eye-Candy of Times SquareIn the middle of all its surrounding Times Square spectaculars, billboards and sign edifices, stands the flagship Hershey Times Square, a retail gift store which is a chocolate confectionary paradise that is the center of the chocolate universe.

Snapshot of the Sign Industry 3rd Quarter 2008For SignIndustry.com’s annual ‘pulse taking’ of the state of the sign industry, we peeked and probed into various facets of the industry to get an idea of the state of our trade before going into 2009.

Minskoff Theater Sign Makeover: Everyone Must See the Lion KingThe Minskoff Theatre (1,597 seats), one of the many major live performing venues along Broadway has recently undergone a signage transformation of its old blade / marquee and window display into a very modern and elegant sign package that was fit for a king: The Lion King that was.

Take Me Out to the Ball GameCincinnati’s Great American Ballpark offers proof positive that effective sign design can inform, entertain, commemorate ­ and stand out in a crowd.

SGIA '06: Show Recap 'Exhibiting the Future Now'When SignIndustry.com visits friends at the SGIA Expo, we are never surprised at the level of professionalism, expertise, and creativity that is displayed down the isles, in the booths, and at the seminars. SGIA '06 was no exception producing a special excitement in the air with abundant energy and a sense of exhilaration.

Awnings & Flex FaceKnow Your Tools: Finishing with EfficiencyFrom year to year, many companies change the products they make, or begin producing new product lines in niche areas that require new and different finishing methods. In some shops, the steps taken to finish products are done with inappropriate tools.

Snapshot of the Sign Industry 3rd Quarter 2008For SignIndustry.com’s annual ‘pulse taking’ of the state of the sign industry, we peeked and probed into various facets of the industry to get an idea of the state of our trade before going into 2009.

Printers’ Challenges in Meeting Fire CodesAll printed banners, wall coverings, display booth fabrics, table skirts, tents, awnings, carpeting, window treatments, interior furnishing and vinyl-coated fabrics are required to meet flame-retardant standards for homes, offices or other assembly places (Flammable Fabrics Act, 1953). The challenges of meeting these fire standards and codes have increased with the development of new synthetic fibers and the ink applications to these fibers, which create a liability risk for the specialty printer.

Tax Savings Under the New Energy and Transportation LawsNo, neither the price of gasoline nor its impact on your sign business will be reduced under the recently passed energy and transportation bills. But both could have a noticeable impact on the tax bills of every sign business.

BannersBanner Finishing Roundtable 2016The final stage in a banner's construction is the finishing process, which really determines how and where it will be displayed. That's where many finishing solution choices come into play.

New Advancements in Fabric Printing Technology Drive GrowthThe rapid evolution of digitally printed fabrics over the past few years has caused explosive growth as more output providers continue to jump on the bandwagon. In fact, digital textile printing was one of the fastest growing market sectors, reaching 10 percent growth in 2013 compared with 2012, according to Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI).

Know Your Tools: Finishing with EfficiencyFrom year to year, many companies change the products they make, or begin producing new product lines in niche areas that require new and different finishing methods. In some shops, the steps taken to finish products are done with inappropriate tools.

Printers’ Challenges in Meeting Fire CodesAll printed banners, wall coverings, display booth fabrics, table skirts, tents, awnings, carpeting, window treatments, interior furnishing and vinyl-coated fabrics are required to meet flame-retardant standards for homes, offices or other assembly places (Flammable Fabrics Act, 1953). The challenges of meeting these fire standards and codes have increased with the development of new synthetic fibers and the ink applications to these fibers, which create a liability risk for the specialty printer.

To Airbrush or Not To Airbrush?Butch ‘Superfrog’ Anton shares his views on what tools to use to create airbrushed effects on vinyl. What you discover may surprise you.

Do You Speak the Language of Color?The language of color is vast, with deep meanings that speak to the subconscious of consumers. Understanding its meanings can help your sales.

Unlocking the Psychology of SignageSuccessful sign making depends on effective visual communication. Understanding how consumers relate to signage, then, is key to helping your customers unlock the door to greater revenues.

Why You Should Invest in True Sign Making SoftwareEveryone always claims that their software is the best. This article has taken a few of the foremost signage specific software products and gives you insight into what makes them worthy to take their seat in your shop. Read on to learn more.

What You Need to Know About Pollution Prevention in Your ShopProtecting yourself, your employees and your community are just a few reasons why you want to be sure that your shop is compliant with all of the current safety regulations. One of the most important areas of safety that is often overlooked is the ventilation of your print shop.

Which Sign Making Software Should You Own? Part 2Looking into ''Bridge'' software. There are many factors to include in your decision such as, your budget, the type of signs you intend to make, the kind of hardware such as cutters and printers that you want to run and of course the difficulty in learning the feature set of the software.

Making Banners ProfitableIt seems that banner signs have really taken off within the past ten years. A lot of people are getting into it and some are even making money. However, others are not doing so well and actually lose money when they accept the jobs. It seems that volume equates to profit and if you can’t produce large quantities, you aren’t going to make any money.

Which Signmaking Software Should You Own? Part 1Deciding which software to purchase for your sign making needs can be a difficult task. We'll outline a few of the softwares out today and help you to decide which one best fits your business.

Heritage Graphics and Scaffold Wraps From Manhattan's Times Square to an Argentinan Palace, outdoor graphics has put unsightly construction under wraps with over the top picturesque renderings, art images or patriotic beautification panels

Simple is BetterIn the ever-changing world of advertising, one fact remains the same: Simple is better. This holds true for just about every type of business out there; whether they use television, radio, print ads or banners. Most of all, banners.

Invasion of the MoratoriumsSign moratoriums are ordinances that temporarily restrict usage of a particular area. This allows a municipality to study potential effects and establish new or revised regulations.

Targeted Storefronts for Key CustomersWhen we think of online ordering, it is a safe bet that our minds wander to one of the mega sites like Amazon.com, Inc. At any time of day or night, you can order almost anything you wish with the click of a button. As a business owner or manager, you have likely thought about offering the same ease and convenience to your customers.

Fire Your ConsultantDo your consultants have a interest in your long-term success, or just the short-term check? Know before you go forward.

Uncorking the Bottleneck: Managing CapacityAny print business, regardless of size, has to effectively manage the volume of work that comes into its shop, and juggle the various resources to deal with any changes in that volume.

Employee Retention SolutionsEmployee retention can be devastating to any company, so what are you doing to avoid losing your valuable staff?

Small Business Approaches For Building a Premium BrandIt's a beautiful thing when your brand speaks so loudly that people truly believe your competitors can't deliver the quality you can. When that happens, price becomes a secondary consideration to the consumer, rather than a primary one.

The Specialty Imager's BrandYour brand image should reflect your brand values, and your corporate palette should be the same across all media. The opportunities that a powerful positioning strategy presents can be amazing. But there is one aspect of this strategy that must be understood, and that is authenticity.

Recognizing Responsible EmployeesAs a manager, it is your responsibility to identify what behavior you want employees to exhibit in your shop, and then to look at each employee to see who exemplifies that behavior.

Recycling Benefits the Bottom LineFor today's businesses, the path of environmental stewardship is really a journey of awareness. Becoming aware of what is thrown away sheds new light into several aspects of every business. Look inside your dumpster, what do you spend per year disposing of that waste and how much of that waste is recyclable? This may get your wheels turning...read on.

A Sustainable Business CaseAn increasing number of customers are asking their imagers about their sustainability efforts, either in face-to-face meetings or formal requests for proposals.

Succession PlanningSooner or later, everyone thinks about retirement or dies. Face the facts, one will happen.

Affordable Health Care and TaxesLike it or not, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled and the so-called 'Affordable Care Act' (ACA) is now the law of the land -- and the Tax Code. Soon, every individual must have health insurance or face a tax penalty. Large businesses must offer their employees health insurance or face penalties.

Preparing Your Company for an Online PresenceA value proposition statement needs to be integrated throughout your company so that it is infused in the culture of all you do. Once created it must go on your email signature line, your Web site, your business cards, and in all of your marketing and promotional materials. Read on...

Safety vs. Efficiency - Why Not Both?Without a successful business, employees will not have a reliable source of income and without a safe environment; no owner will be able to maintain a steady workforce.

Using Pencil Selling to Close More Digital Sign DealsSome prefer to call it a return on investment (R.O.I.) analysis. I still call it pencil selling. It's the art of taking a prospect through the mathematical process of understanding how the cost of what they're buying is justified by its return.

Romancing the Stone Cold Customer in the New EconomyHow exactly does the new, post-recession customer behave? How might specialty graphics business owners woo them? These are questions every wise entrepreneur must consider. The nature of decision making for potential buyers seems to have changed forever. Customers will still buy from people they like, trust and with whom it is convenient to do business.

Going Lean With Your Sign CompanyNow more than ever, the sign industry needs to make the most of their resources and refine processes to utilize the utmost in efficiency throughout their company. Read how one company has done just that.

The Sign Height FightAs profoessionals we care about this subject because of public safety issues. With professional studies that depict locations where short signs are appropriate and others where they are not, it's time to cast aside the opinions and start looking at the facts.

Answering the Call from Sign HatersMake no mistake about it; there are some people who simply do not like signs - some, in fact, actually hate them. If you have been in the industry for even a relatively short time, we've encountered them - usually, and unfortunately, as part of a local committee to regulate signs.

Vehicle Wrapping Contracts 101: Wrapping vehicles without a signed contract that spells out what the customer should expect - and shouldn't expect - from your sign shop is a mistake that could cost you. Find out how to avoid liabilities with a solid contract.

Ideas, Attitudes & ActionMake new ideas and change a fixture of your company’s culture. Set small goals and be relentless in pursuing them. Don't forget that people make it all happen. Good people can achieve great things. Find them, keep them and let the misfits go somewhere else.

Floor Graphics: Walking into OpportunityThe floor graphics concept was ahead of its time a few years ago, but if you haven’t gotten into this side of the business yet, there is no time like the present.

How to Train Cats and SalespeopleSurprisingly, the same training and reward techniques required to get Fluffy to jump through a hoop can also be utilized to motivate your sales team to achieve peak-performance!

Surviving and Profiting from the Economy, IntentionallyRegardless of whether an inevitable slow period results from the economy, from competition or from other sources outside the control of the business owner or manager, it is never too late to employ slow period survival strategies in your sign business.

Adversity Gives You Strength!How can you stay self-motivated and productive in the midst of turbulent times and a sluggish economy? How do you persevere as a salesperson when times are tough and customers seem to be holding on to every penny in fear of economic uncertainty?

Develop Your Plan for a Profitable YearIf your sign business activity last year did not create happiness, excitement and massive profits for you and your family, then let’s have a look at how a few simple things can make a difference this year.

Good Estimating Affects the Bottom LineUnless your business is to provide the same product, without variation, at the same cost of production, there is no fast, simple answer to the question...'What Does It Cost?'

Using Technology To Its Best To Maximize Your Company's WorkflowDo you think you are running your business as efficiently and effectively as possible? See how technology can assist you in keeping a closer track on your bottom line and maximize your profits while reducing the time your organization spends on communicating between departments.

Recovery with a Hand from Uncle SamFew professional risk managers predicted or planned for the battering suffered by Florida-based businesses in 2004. Few businesses in the Gulf region could have predicted or obtained insurance against the tremendous damages produced by Hurricane Katrina, Rita or Wilma.

Tax Savings Under the New Energy and Transportation LawsNo, neither the price of gasoline nor its impact on your sign business will be reduced under the recently passed energy and transportation bills. But both could have a noticeable impact on the tax bills of every sign business.

The Price is Right. Or is it? Estimating Tips That Make SenseThe rules are simple and straightforward. To win, you must find an applicable price point that affords you an appropriate profit margin while, at the same time, keeps your competition at arm’s length and keeps your customers happy and satisfied.

CRM Part IV: Improving Sales and Customer LoyaltyIn this, the final in a series of articles revealing how Customer Relationship Management (CRM) can transform your business to a new profitable level, we will address the selling and customer loyalty strategies that you can implement through CRM.

Starting a New Sign BusinessFor those who are considering venturing into a new business in the sign industry, we welcome you to the family. The sign profession is one of the oldest in our country. Signs have been a fundamental element in trade, commerce and industry for centuries.

CRM Pt. 3: Turning Prospects to CustomersNow is the time to employ CRM to convert your prospects to customers. The conversion process, (taking all of those prospect names in your data base and converting them to paying, loyal customers) is the profitable portion of your CRM program. This is the act of turning information into dollars.

CRM Tools for Marketing, Part IIAlong with providing a means for managing sales and customer information, CRM also enables businesses to market more effectively and efficiently.

Surviving The Sign Business, A Perspective from a Seasoned VeteranYou could probably say that in my over 43 years in the sign business that I’ve seen it all. I’ve made more than my share of mistakes, but this is all part of the learning process. I’m not implying that I have all of the answers, but the fact that I’ve lasted this long in the business suggests I’m doing something right.

Pick Up The PhoneOne of the worse things you as a businessperson can do is ignore request for return phone calls. These are missed opportunities and once they are gone, it will be very difficult to get them back.

Controlling Costs To Control ProfitsEvery sign business has a best customer. In fact, studies have shown that 80 percent of the income of most businesses usually comes from 20 percent of its customers. But how can any sign professional tell whether that best customer is generating its fair share of bottom-line profits? Is your best customer costing you money?

Making the Most of your MarketingYour business keeps you hopping from one priority to the next---every single day. You put out one fire only to find another one starting up while over your shoulder you catch a glimpse of yet another one rekindling. With all of the busy-ness of running your business, who has time to focus on marketing?

Keeping Up With New Government RegulationsBecause of the tragedy of September 11th, 2001, the US government has had to put more laws into place to protect the safety of American citizens. Some of the laws have inconvenienced us and some we never knew existed, but the good news is that they are not all that complicated.

Summer Time is SALES TimeYes summer time is here, and along with the higher temperatures comes many fantastic opportunities for greater and larger sign sales. So, are you ready to get busy? Great! Here are some ways to keep that telephone ringing off the wall all summer long.

Think About What You Are SellingOur real competition is not the sign prices of other sign shops, but in reality our real competition is the effectiveness of signs for the betterment of our client’s business versus the effectiveness of our competitor’s signs.

The Lost Art of Following-UpVisions of grandeur danced in my head back almost twenty-five years ago. I set out to set the sign world on fire. Little did I know that the limited sign skills that I possessed would not take me where I wanted to go.

The Pitfalls of Starting a Sign Business: Part II, Home-basedThe easiest way to get started in the sign business is by creating a home-based sign shop. For one thing, it’s the least expensive way to get started. Most people do not decide one day to quit their job and start a sign business, not that it can’t be done.

Where’s the Love?We can all make that initial sale; however, sign clients return again and again when they feel their business was appreciated, and when they feel the love!

Money PoliciesHave you noticed any trends lately in how your clients are reacting to your payment policies? Are some of your prospects and established clients expecting you to design, build and install your sign products without a deposit, or payment in full upon completion?

The Pitfalls of Starting a Sign Business, Part IThe sign industry is probably one of the most stable businesses to get into. You are not selling widgets, but rather a custom made product that fits the needs of your client. Like any other business, the sign business has its ups and downs and is affected by the economy, weather conditions and location along with many other factors.

Terminating Totally with Limited LiabilityIn this day and age it is becoming more and more difficult to terminate an employee. It is difficult enough firing someone without having to worry if you’ve taken all the necessary steps and kept all the necessary paperwork in the employee’s file.

Should I Stay or Should I GoWhen is it time to call it quits in a business that feels stagnant? This is a question that causes some people complete frustration and never really seems to receive a satisfying answer. It is also a question that comes up for most businesses at least a dozen times within the first three years of business.

Tax Planning With A DifferenceEvery sign business owner and manager should recognize the need for -- and the benefits that can be derived from -- tax planning.

Marketing Your Business in Changing Times, Part IIIn Part II of this three-part series, we will address more marketing techniques and strategies to be used in your business including a distinction between advertising and promotion during these challenging times.

Writing a Marketing Strategy: Four Easy Steps Talk to the “Ivory Tower experts” about marketing, and they will tell you that marketing management basically consists of a series of complex, interrelated analytical processes and strategies

The Sign Height FightAs profoessionals we care about this subject because of public safety issues. With professional studies that depict locations where short signs are appropriate and others where they are not, it's time to cast aside the opinions and start looking at the facts.

CNC RoutingTraditional Die Cutting Versus Digital Die CuttingWith increasing demand comes the growing need for better and faster technology in all sectors of the trade. This includes die cutting, a constantly evolving finishing technique that relies heavily on its relevance in the field.

Wide Format: Much More Than Just PrintTypically, signs, direct mail and printed collateral contribute to exposure, motivation and recognition of needs toward a product. These lower-value tools contribute to 30 percent of the buying decision. But research has demonstrated that 70 percent of purchasing decisions are made at the point of purchase.

Discover the Rewards of Owning A CNC RouterSee the options available and avenues where sign makers can use CNC routers to get into the commercial signage business and channel letter fabrication. CNC routers provide a broad capability to enter into multiple markets.

Sign Software in ActionDiscover how signmakers are using industry specific sign software to raise revenues, increase production - and get creative.

Discover the Rewards of Owning A CNC RouterSee the options available and avenues where sign makers can use CNC routers to get into the commercial signage business and channel letter fabrication. CNC routers provide a broad capability to enter into multiple markets.

Lasers: Ready to Buy-What you Really Need to KnowFor those new to laser technology, buying laser equipment can be an intimidating experience. The word laser often conjures images of danger, mystery, impossible learning curves, and high price tags. However, with the user-friendly, increasingly affordable laser engraving equipment of today, nothing could be further from the truth.

Laser Engraving Part 3: The PossibilitiesThe word, 'versatility' is often used to describe today’s laser engraving and cutting equipment: for good reason. Not only can you use the same system to cut out parts and engrave them, the material and product choices are seemingly endless as are the markets in which people use lasers.

Next-Gen CNC'sCNC routers are getting higher-tech at lower-costs. Find out what bells and whistles the latest models have to offer.

Signs From The Spirit WorldEveryone loves an 'Olde Worlde' pub with its oak beams, horse brasses and roaring log fires. Nevertheless, no matter how old the pub itself, the name on the sign outside is probably the most historic thing about the place.

Computer TechnologyRaster Images versus Vector Images - explaining it simplyAll electronic art images are divided into one of two core types, raster images (also know as 'bitmaps') and vector images. In a nutshell raster images are composed of connected dots and vectors are images composed of connected lines.

Stressless Distressed: Creating Your Own Distressed Graphic FilesThis article is all about creating easy-to-use distressed pattern files to add some pizzazz to your graphics. Nothing fancy, just solid technique. If you have ever bought a distressed pattern, you are going to wonder why you wasted your money after you read this. Creating your own gives you the control, but also puts your creative spin on the design aesthetic.

Color Management Basics, Part 4In Part 3 of this four-part series, detailed the color management pyramid and showed how it could easily be the basis for the process of achieving consistent and repeatable color.

Color Management Basics, Part 1We all know the challenges of poor or no color management. Inaccurate color, heavy ink consumption, inconsistent color and printing artifacts are just a few of the challenges you may face.

Reworking Your Production WorkflowGetting the right combination of workflow automation software, computing power, and digital printing equipment in place now can lay the foundation for future growth.

Workflow - It's All About Your BusinessAs a digital graphics printer, the key to profitability is a productive workflow. Keeping your equipment and operators productive is a requirement that directly affects your bottom line.

Backup and Archival ApproachesHow you choose to backup your computer has several different methods and you should be aware what your plan is, and that it's working, to ensure that you know that you won't lose your stuff.

Making Color Management a Top PriorityColor management is no longer a value-add for businesses; it is necessary to stay competitive in today's market. Follow a real-world example of successful color management solutions to consider for your sign shop.

Photoshop CS5 EnlightenmentPhotoshop has become the go-to photo and image editing software used in advertising, photography, marketing, publishing, design and graphic industries around the world. This article discusses some basic setup features you can use with the latest iteration, Photoshop CS5, to your advantage in large-format applications.

Sign Software in ActionDiscover how signmakers are using industry specific sign software to raise revenues, increase production - and get creative.

Maximize Print Accuracy with G7In the printing industry, the most prolific drain on profitability is process color print inaccuracy. In this article, I will share with you some important principles that have helped hundreds of printers maximize print accuracy and add thousands of dollars to their bottom lines.

Rendering Intents: The How and WhyRendering intents, another key component of a Color Management System, are ways of dealing with colors that are out-of-gamut ­ colors present in the source space that our destination space or output device is incapable of producing. We'll aim to help you wrap you thoughts around this theory.

CRM Part IV: Improving Sales and Customer LoyaltyIn this, the final in a series of articles revealing how Customer Relationship Management (CRM) can transform your business to a new profitable level, we will address the selling and customer loyalty strategies that you can implement through CRM.

Why You Should Invest in True Sign Making SoftwareEveryone always claims that their software is the best. This article has taken a few of the foremost signage specific software products and gives you insight into what makes them worthy to take their seat in your shop. Read on to learn more.

Training Your Signshop To Use New Equipment & SoftwareTo produce eye-catching, quality prints and signs, printing machines and software require skilled operators. One way operators acquire their skill is through training. Delve inside to catch the scoop on the different options available to take advantage of all the features of your equipment and software.

CRM Pt. 3: Turning Prospects to CustomersNow is the time to employ CRM to convert your prospects to customers. The conversion process, (taking all of those prospect names in your data base and converting them to paying, loyal customers) is the profitable portion of your CRM program. This is the act of turning information into dollars.

Raster Images versus Vector ImagesAll electronic art images are divided into one of two core types, raster images (also know as 'bitmaps') and vector images. In a nutshell raster images are composed of connected dots and vectors are images composed of connected lines.

CRM Tools for Marketing, Part IIAlong with providing a means for managing sales and customer information, CRM also enables businesses to market more effectively and efficiently.

Profiling Your Scanner and Digital CameraIn previous articles we discussed profiling monitors and printers, how standard working spaces connect the two, and how to proof one device or process on another. Our objective is to match the original file on-screen and on the printer, or in the case of a proof, to match the device on which it will be printed.

Color Management for ProofingLooking into profiling for proofing, meaning you want your large-format inkjet printer to look like another printer or printing process, such as an offset press or a production printer.

Color Management for a Monitor-to-Print MatchAdvancements in color measurement instruments and color management software have made it possible for nearly everyone to afford at least a monitor calibration system, so monitor-to-print match today is the rule rather than the exception.

Covering Your Back...UpsIn the digital graphics age, one of the easiest things to neglect in our busy day is the critical backup of all the client files and databases we use to remain gamefully in business. Are you backing up your companies data & graphics?

Sign Pricing Series - Digital Print PricingIn the last article, I touched on the elements of pricing. Chiefly, pricing will vary based on competition, industry practice, and the skill vs. cost of accuracy in pricing. With digital printing, these basic concepts hold true.

Which Sign Making Software Should You Own? Part 2Looking into ''Bridge'' software. There are many factors to include in your decision such as, your budget, the type of signs you intend to make, the kind of hardware such as cutters and printers that you want to run and of course the difficulty in learning the feature set of the software.

COLOR MANAGEMENT: Basic Color TheoryOne of the most fundamental and misunderstood facets of printing is basic color theory. Learn the foundation or polish up your knowledge on how color works.

Which Signmaking Software Should You Own? Part 1Deciding which software to purchase for your sign making needs can be a difficult task. We'll outline a few of the softwares out today and help you to decide which one best fits your business.

The Art of Laminating: Tips to cold laminating ­ Part IIWe have discussed loading the laminates in part one. Now comes the nerve-racking part where you have to laminate a print in hopes that everything will go smoothly. In other words, no air bubbles and no wrinkles or else it’s back to the printing stage.

Understanding Industrial PrintingMuch of the innovation in our industry, particularly as it relates to digital technologies, is occurring not in the sign and graphics segment, but the industrial segment, where developers are working on 'better, smarter, faster' imaging solutions.

The Case for Color ManagementColor management for digitally printed textiles may be more complex than you're used to. Doing it right can also save you time and money.

We Put Ink on PaperWhen asked what we do, a lot of us on the sales side - especially those of us who have been doing this for a while - simply say, 'We put ink on paper.'

Considering Alternative Inks?Have you ever considered using alternative inks? As the inkjet market continues to mature and users become savvier, the trend of alternative inks is growing. The substantial cost savings has many sign industry professionals reconsidering the use of alternative inks.

Reworking Your Production WorkflowGetting the right combination of workflow automation software, computing power, and digital printing equipment in place now can lay the foundation for future growth.

Factors Impacting Vinyl Removal, Part ILearning what vinyl film is, the impact that the environment and the surface finish has on vinyl are all factors that will help you deal with the ultimate need to remove vinyl graphics.

Utilizing Today's Media for Trade Show SuccessWhile choosing among new and improved media, inks, hardware and software can become overwhelming, it is an essential component that separates the good sign industry professionals from the best.

How to Select Your Next Wide-Format PrinterThis is an interesting topic, to be sure, and one that could invite plenty of argument from interested parties (e.g. - sellers shouting, 'Buy mine, buy mine!'). Follow the steps in this article to help you to make an informed decision.

The Variables of Calculating Ink ConsumptionTracking ink use is a slippery topic compared to tracking square feet or meters printed, and the amount of material waste generated. How much ink does your business use for each job? How about consumption per week for all printers combined? What about ink used on a monthly basis?

Digital Textile Printing Has Come of AgeOne only needs to look at what is happening in other parts of the world to see that now is the time for companies in North America to invest resources to participate in the projected growth of digital textile printing.

Frame It: The Uncovering of the Framing Segment of the Sign IndustryBusinesses who are getting involved in wide-format banner framing are discovering a niche with a demand that needs to be filled. This segment of the industry provides an opportunity for sign professionals to diversify their businesses while offering customers a unique choice in sign products.

Digital Ink Technology InnovationsNew developments over the past decade in digital ink technology have helped change the landscape of the entire wide-format marketplace and thus have enabled print providers with new tools to dramatically expand their output applications and produce vibrant, eye-catching signage for their clients.

Making Color Management a Top PriorityColor management is no longer a value-add for businesses; it is necessary to stay competitive in today's market. Follow a real-world example of successful color management solutions to consider for your sign shop.

Reasons Behind Single vs. Multi-Technology PrintingScreen printed glass is everywhere. It's at home, in the streets, in stores, in the workplace, in learning centers, on public transportation and in restaurants. In fact, it appears more than most people often recognize.

The UV-LED Inkjet Curing Revolution Gains MomentumThe use of UV-LED systems for the curing of UV inkjet inks continues to expand as equipment manufacturers bring this technology to a wide range of new equipment. Is inkjet ready for prime time, and what are the challenges faced in the adoption of the technology?

Eliminate Printing Defects Caused by Static ElectricityFor the digital and screen printing industry, the most common problems associated with static are dust attraction, printing defects and shocks to operators. Learn how to identify and mitigate these real-world challenges.

Mural Media: A Complete Guide to Digital Wallcovering ApplicationsWhy Digital Wallcovering; Why Now? According to a January 2011 report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. (GIA), the global wallcovering market is expected to reach $26 billion dollars by 2015. GIA attributes this growth to the increased demand for the remodeling/refurbishing of homes within the residential construction industry.

The 21st Century Color MatcherIf you're in the business of selling color images, you want to take advantage of everything you can to make those images the best they can be with the tools you have available. This is why today's graphic imaging company needs a digital color manager.

Wide Format Ink Jet Graphics Forecast Analysis 2011 by I.T. StrategiesSince 1994, the forecast is based on systems sales units input of 90%+ of vendors representing at least 90% of sales for the prior calendar year (this year, 2010’s sales). Further data regarding pricing, consumption, utilization rates and substrate usage is gathered through secondary research and is regularly refreshed through user research among users of wide format technology each year. Various methods of cross-analysis are employed as sanity checks on individual data points. Read on to learn more.

Maximizing Digital: Print-and-Cut Heat TransfersDigital means many things to different decorators. As a term in our industry, it is commonly associated with the boom in either wide-format digital print imaging or with direct-on-garment printing. Either way, digital is leading-edge and contains many technologies. One key technology with multiple uses is the digital print-and-cut process for fabric embellishment.

A Signmaker's Guide to Choosing the Right Media for Backlit DisplaysRetailers, trade show exhibitors and sign shops alike are constantly searching for the newest, most exciting ways to attract potential buyers and customers. But they often find themselves overlooking the potential of the equipment, supplies and media that are right in front of them. Why not digitally printed backlit graphics?

Going Lean With Your Sign CompanyNow more than ever, the sign industry needs to make the most of their resources and refine processes to utilize the utmost in efficiency throughout their company. Read how one company has done just that.

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Going DigitalThere's a lot of misinformation out there and I will be taking you through the most common issues that I have encountered, and the products that I feel you should have in order to make the best graphics in the most efficient way possible.

Factors Impacting Vinyl Removal, Part ILearning what vinyl film is, the impact that the environment and the surface finish has on vinyl are all factors that will help you deal with the ultimate need to remove vinyl graphics.

Know Your Tools: Finishing with EfficiencyFrom year to year, many companies change the products they make, or begin producing new product lines in niche areas that require new and different finishing methods. In some shops, the steps taken to finish products are done with inappropriate tools.

Making the Most of Application FluidsUsing application fluids isn’t rocket science, but it’s not child’s play, either. Discover what you need to know to make the most of application fluids.

Preparing Floors for Floor GraphicsLearn how to how to laminate the graphic, how to place it, how to prep the surface, and how to install the graphic so it will stay put and do its job.

Floor Graphics: Walking into OpportunityThe floor graphics concept was ahead of its time a few years ago, but if you haven’t gotten into this side of the business yet, there is no time like the present.

Surviving and Profiting from the Economy, IntentionallyRegardless of whether an inevitable slow period results from the economy, from competition or from other sources outside the control of the business owner or manager, it is never too late to employ slow period survival strategies in your sign business.

Solvent Printers and Air Quality ControlFor years, it has been accepted the smelly operating conditions are par for the course and normal in shops with solvent printers, but we have come to a turning point where these fumes and odors are more than just a nuisance. They pose real health concerns.

Choosing the Best Ink to Print on VinylSome digital print shops stick to the ink their printer manufacturer offers. But that might not always be the best choice for your vinyl print job. Your overarching goal is to match your ink to your media. Find out what you need to know.

The Rundown on Calendered Vinyl FilmsCalendered vinyl films were once thought of as an inferior economical choice, but some calendered vinyl film manufacturers have come a long way in terms of product quality and breadth, by offering conformability, durability and that image pop that is required for the application.

When Ink Is Not the Problem with Digital Printing, Part IVariables like surface tension, media expansion and ink absorption take on new dimensions on larger substrates. If the paper doesn’t advance, it could cause blobs of ink or other ugly outcomes. If the media stretches even a little, you could get blurs. Tiling can become a challenge on larger prints. Read on to discover what to do when ink is not the problem.

Rendering Intents: The How and WhyRendering intents, another key component of a Color Management System, are ways of dealing with colors that are out-of-gamut ­ colors present in the source space that our destination space or output device is incapable of producing. We'll aim to help you wrap you thoughts around this theory.

Printers’ Challenges in Meeting Fire CodesAll printed banners, wall coverings, display booth fabrics, table skirts, tents, awnings, carpeting, window treatments, interior furnishing and vinyl-coated fabrics are required to meet flame-retardant standards for homes, offices or other assembly places (Flammable Fabrics Act, 1953). The challenges of meeting these fire standards and codes have increased with the development of new synthetic fibers and the ink applications to these fibers, which create a liability risk for the specialty printer.

Navigating To Complete Color Workflow ManagementThe explosion of digital imaging and printing in the sign industry has left many in the business in something of a conundrum. Here's this wonderful new machine on the floor that did such incredible things at the tradeshow, but how do you make it do them, do them consistently, and do them profitably?

Extreme Makeover: Business Signage EditionFastsigns International, Inc. chose 4 different businesses to receive a signage makeover. The four businesses chosen for the makeovers pondered many of the same things when they learned that they were selected for this free signage makeover. Would it draw in new customers? Would it boost sales? Would anyone even notice? The results speak for themselves.

The State of UV Inkjet Inks…the momentum is buildingThe advantage of 'curing' is simple: It allows ink to adhere to a broader range of substrates as compared to other digital printing technologies. On the other hand, there is a bit of a misconception that UV cured ink will stick to just about everything. Get a balanced view of UV curable pros and cons.

The Fine Art of InksLarge format printers with special inks are producing top quality prints that sell in museums for tens of thousands of dollars. Find out what you need to know to take your cut by producing these fine art prints.

More Than Art for Art’s SakeThere is a fine line between signage and art and sometimes there is no line at all. Art becomes the sign and the sign becomes art. To some, even a traffic sign is seen as art.

About White Ink In Black and WhiteCould white ink allow you to expand into new markets? Imagine the possibilities of expanding your services to include printing on leather, cardboard, wood, stone or some other non-traditional material.

Expanding Your Ink HorizonsPrinters today can accommodate up to 16-color inksets. But would that really benefit your shop? Find out the advantages and disadvantages of expanding your ink horizons.

Wrapping VegasThe basic elements are the same with wraps of all sizes, but large mass transit wraps offer some additional challenges that offer valuable lessons from graphics installers of all shapes and sizes.

Critical Questions to Consider When Looking at a Flatbed PurchaseThe purpose of this article is to provide the imaging professional with a list of critical questions to ask when shopping for a flatbed inkjet printer. By understanding these questions, then seeking answers to them, those printers looking to install flatbed inkjet units in their facilities will be able to make better purchasing decisions.

Critical Questions to Consider When Looking at a Flatbed PurchaseThe purpose of this article is to provide the imaging professional with a list of critical questions to ask when shopping for a flatbed inkjet printer. By understanding these questions, then seeking answers to them, those printers looking to install flatbed inkjet units in their facilities will be able to make better purchasing decisions.

Unlocking the Psychology of SignageSuccessful sign making depends on effective visual communication. Understanding how consumers relate to signage, then, is key to helping your customers unlock the door to greater revenues.

Rent, Lease or Finance Your Sign EquipmentFind the right answer to the question of whether your sign business should rent, lease or own the equipment used in your operations. Few sign professionals are able to accept the fact that there is no one right answer that fits everyone or every situtation.

Training Your Signshop To Use New Equipment & SoftwareTo produce eye-catching, quality prints and signs, printing machines and software require skilled operators. One way operators acquire their skill is through training. Delve inside to catch the scoop on the different options available to take advantage of all the features of your equipment and software.

The Successful Integration of Digital Imaging Technology, Part IIntegrating digital imaging technology into your existing facility may represent a step into the unknown. Like a classical music enthusiast first discovering jazz, the company adopting digital is introduced to a fascinating new world that is puzzlingly different, yet strangely familiar. The equipment looks different, the buzzwords are different, but the final goal is the same: to produce and sell high-quality printed materials to paying customers.

Color Management for ProofingLooking into profiling for proofing, meaning you want your large-format inkjet printer to look like another printer or printing process, such as an offset press or a production printer.

Standard Color Working SpacesA standard working space is a place to store color data until you know what you want to do with it. For example, you might want to display, print, or proof a file.

Standard Color Working SpacesA standard working space is a place to store color data until you know what you want to do with it. For example, you might want to display, print, or proof a file.

Color Management for a Monitor-to-Print MatchAdvancements in color measurement instruments and color management software have made it possible for nearly everyone to afford at least a monitor calibration system, so monitor-to-print match today is the rule rather than the exception.

Sign Pricing Series - Digital Print PricingIn the last article, I touched on the elements of pricing. Chiefly, pricing will vary based on competition, industry practice, and the skill vs. cost of accuracy in pricing. With digital printing, these basic concepts hold true.

So You Want To Be a Vinyl ProBefore you can claim professional installer status, you have to learn the basics to avoid common mistakes. Discover some fundamentals tips that will serve you well for many years.

Venturing into Vehicle WrappingIf you’ve been considering adding vehicle wrapping to your repartee, then you won’t want to miss part one in this three part series on vehicle wrapping.

The Art of Laminating: Tips to cold laminating ­ Part IIWe have discussed loading the laminates in part one. Now comes the nerve-racking part where you have to laminate a print in hopes that everything will go smoothly. In other words, no air bubbles and no wrinkles or else it’s back to the printing stage.

The Art of Laminating Part 3 - Making the investmentBefore you make the investment, you have to consider both your present needs and your future needs. The purchase of a laminator is similar to that of purchasing a car. A lot of decisions need to be made as to what bells and whistles come with the various models.

Dynamic Digital SignageDynamic Digital Signage: Unlocking the Profit SecretsWhether you are a small sign shop with a single roll printer, or a large sign shop making electrical signs, the profit secrets regarding dynamic digital signage (DDS) are the same. There is no doubt in my mind that DDS displays are, in fact, signs, and if we (as an industry) don't stake our rightful claim, we will miss this exciting opportunity.

Determine What It Actually Costs to Sell Your Signs the Right Way.Pricing your products or services sold is determined first by costing. Do you have any idea of what it costs to sell a sign or banner? For that matter, what does it cost to open the doors to your sign business each day? Pertinent questions that will influence your pricing.

Shaping Media Content for Digital DisplaysEvolving message formats morph into more disparate media platforms including electronic billboards, LCD displays, cell phones and computers, so also must the content conform to each platform.

A Look Behind the Digital Signage MaskDigital signage is everywhere, and growing by leaps and bounds. According to marketsandmarkets.com, the global digital signage market was estimated to generate $3.95 billion in 2011 and $13.2 billion by 2016, at a compound annual growth rate of 27.29 percent from 2011 to 2016. The market opportunity is virtually limitless, and now may be the perfect time to make it an offering.

Interactive Media Walls: Communication at an Arm's DistanceIn what might be a hallucination of the eerie kind, imagine walking past an interior building wall that talks to you or starts to generate images that follow you as you walk by it. In some cases, the wall might get friendly and text out; 'touch me to start...' OK. A little touch, what could possibly happen?

Wayfinding: Following the signs along the waySignIndustry.com connected with fd2s and 22MILES, two companies specializing in wayfinding and the art of getting from here to there in a safe, practical way. Take a look to see if you can get there from here.

Taking Advantage of the Digital Signage OpportunityPositioning your company in the emerging digital signage market is about much more than buying some screens and plugging them. In fact, entering this industry segment requires careful planning and a strong sense of who you will work with and how it will be done.

Oasis of the Sea: Digital Signage Takes a Cruise to WayfindingAs one of the worlds largest cruise ships, the onboard wayfinding system installed to help direct guests to the many ship-board destinations and attractions proves extremely important. To implement a contemporary wayfinding system, it was developed in tandem as both a static (print) system, and an interactive digital system. Read on...

Digital Outdoor Expands in Public SpaceAs much as outdoor digital signage has become a significant billboard advertising medium, so has digital signage migrated into the urban cityscape and is just now finding a home with street furniture incorporating itself into bus shelters, news stands and other furniture structures as it makes sense.

Displax and Optimus: Pushing Clicks & Bricks into 21st Century RetailIn a dramatic approach to incorporating both clicks and bricks under a single rooftop, Optimus, a leading Portuguese telecom company opened a revolutionary retail concept store in Portugal where digital signage became the centerpiece of connecting customers to its brand and its products. Read on...

Designing Digital Signage for Your AudienceWhether you are developing a digital signage network for a client or for yourself, the one person who takes precedence above all others is the viewer- the person you want to engage. The old adage, 'know your audience,' is as true to developing digital signage networks as it is for other communications methods.

The Care and Feeding of Digital DisplaysAs message formats evolve into more disparate media platforms including electronic billboards, LCD displays, cell phones and computers, so must the content conform to each platform.

Creative Realities and Radio Shack's Store OneHave you ever met a store that is perhaps smart enough to have a personalized conversation with you on its own - without the help of employees? Experience the 'sales concierge' for a flagship Radio Shack Store.

Digital Billboards Ho!In the 1840s, it was wagons ho and west to the new frontier. Thousands of people staked their fortune, their family and their future on the uncharted territories of westward expansion. Today, digital billboards are staking out new territories across the US of A.

Snapshot of the Sign Industry 3rd Quarter 2008For SignIndustry.com’s annual ‘pulse taking’ of the state of the sign industry, we peeked and probed into various facets of the industry to get an idea of the state of our trade before going into 2009.

Showing Off Digital Signage Through Touch TechnologyThe fine art of digital signage is evolving to new heights, offering customers convenient options while giving sign shops multiple opportunities to take larger bites of the sign market pie. Learn how touch technology is being used in surprising new formats.

Finding a Way: Technology Meets Hotel Wayfinding Wayfinding signs, at least those used to direct hotel guests to various seminar rooms, were usually either a chalkboard or a felt board sign with letters stuck on them. Today, with new technology available for wayfinding signs, businesses are taking advantage of more efficient signage to direct customers.

Digital Signage Glossary of TermsWith the constant whirling of words and terms flying around the quagmire and overlap in the digital signage industry, it is no doubt that you need to pull out a trusty play card from time to time for each segment of this industry. This is needed just to determine what everyone is talking about. This Glossary for the Electronic Digital Signage arena should help your linguistics and comprehension while navigating this segment of the industry.

Digital Signage and Brand-buildingDigital Signage is not just a new “better than static signage” display capability that exploits the inherent economies and flexibility of “digital”, but is a dramatic shift in the business communications that underpins retailing.

Unlocking the Psychology of SignageSuccessful sign making depends on effective visual communication. Understanding how consumers relate to signage, then, is key to helping your customers unlock the door to greater revenues.

Planning Your Digital Signage NetworkA digital signage project follows a structure similar to other application systems projects. The focus on revenue and other stakeholder benefits however, add additional important dimensions to a typical system development life cycle, signage project or merchandising initiative.

Rent, Lease or Finance Your Sign EquipmentFind the right answer to the question of whether your sign business should rent, lease or own the equipment used in your operations. Few sign professionals are able to accept the fact that there is no one right answer that fits everyone or every situtation.

Dynamic Digital Signage - The New Age of Advertising Dynamic Digital Signage has emerged as the “Next Killer Application” for the new generation of sign technology in the advertising industry. A digital signage system, which is usually composed of a server or PC, a monitor or TV and software, is capable of delivering full-screen, full-color content to multiple locations. Cost of implementation has been reduced significantly over the past two years, making it possible for Digital Signage to be in the mainstream marketplace. This is evidenced by the extensive usage of digital signage at airports, museums and shopping centers. The growth rate is projected to increase significantly in the next few years as the technology matures.

TOYS 'R US: Toys with Digital SignageThe Center of the Toy Universe can be found in Times Square and it's operated by Toys 'R Us. With 110,000 square feet of various toy shopping zones, all aligned within three floors of merchandising space, the toy universe is a vast space.

Movie Theaters and the Art of Electronic SignageModern multiplex movie theaters generate huge audiences who visit the theaters for their continuing film fix. As these audiences circulate from box office to auditorium, much of the audience's visitor experience is guided by signs alerting theater guests to everything from ticket prices to directions to the auditorium.

The Many Advantages of Plasma Display SignageWhen it comes to indoor displays, plasma is one of the most versatile media available today. The content for plasma displays is easy to create and manage, especially with a solid software program.

Snapshot of the Sign Industry 3rd Quarter 2008For SignIndustry.com’s annual ‘pulse taking’ of the state of the sign industry, we peeked and probed into various facets of the industry to get an idea of the state of our trade before going into 2009.

Hershey’s ­ How Sweet It Is: The Eye-Candy of Times SquareIn the middle of all its surrounding Times Square spectaculars, billboards and sign edifices, stands the flagship Hershey Times Square, a retail gift store which is a chocolate confectionary paradise that is the center of the chocolate universe.

Mysterious Art of Electric Sign PricingThis article will discuss techniques commonly used in pricing electric signage such as illuminated box signs, channel letters, pylon signs, and neon. While some smaller companies will use area (a.k.a. rule-of-thumb pricing), the vast majority of electric sign companies all use the same technique: Cost-Plus pricing.

The Many Advantages of Plasma Display SignageWhen it comes to indoor displays, plasma is one of the most versatile media available today. The content for plasma displays is easy to create and manage, especially with a solid software program.

Essential Tools of the Electrical Sign TradeIn these times of increasing complexity, the electric sign installer or maintenance person is faced with a dizzying array of problems that he/she may face when addressing issues that may have arisen with their client’s electric sign.

The Sign Ballast TodayWith some sign ballasts tipping the scales at almost 20 pounds, they look as different from household ballast as a Lincoln Navigator does next to a Cooper MINI. Inside however, they’re just ballasts.

Fiber Optics ­ Mysterious or Simple?Today, fiber optics in its current usage for the sign industry has been around more or less since 1991. Yes fiber optics, in general has been around longer, but as a direct neon alternative, they have not.

EstimatingUsing a Price List ToolMany businesses rely on a pricing list for their customer bids. This is especially true for new business owners who are learning not only what it takes to be a good printer, but also what it takes to be a good business owner.

The Next Step Is ImplementationWhat stops the implementation from succeeding? What are the factors needed to keep the process going? Who succeeds and who fails? Let's review the process and find out.

The Science of Effective EstimatingIn the breadth of the sign & graphics industry many methods are used for estimating and job quoting. Some shops are using the correct tool for the job, while others aren’t. Which category does your business fall into?

Commercial Screen Print PricingLike their digital brethren, commercial screen printers typically use two fundamental approaches to pricing depending on their size. The two methods are pricing tables and time-and-materials.

Competitive Pricing StrategiesWe spoke to Jim Drisler, National Sales Manager at CRC Information Systems; Udi Nachmany, Partnerships and Business Development Manager at Hewlett Packard, HP Scitex Division; and Scott St.Cyr, Principal at Cyrious Software, about some of the most common pricing issues affecting specialty imaging companies.

Make Your Prices Stick…Without Getting StuckWhen a customer asks, 'What is your best price for this?' - can you make your prices stick without getting stuck? Delve inside to find out how to maintain a profit during challenging pricing times.

Digital Print PricingIn the last article, I touched on the elements of pricing. Chiefly, pricing will vary based on competition, industry practice, and the skill vs. cost of accuracy in pricing. With digital printing, these basic concepts hold true.

Good Estimating Affects the Bottom LineUnless your business is to provide the same product, without variation, at the same cost of production, there is no fast, simple answer to the question...'What Does It Cost?'

Using Technology To Its Best To Maximize Your Company's WorkflowDo you think you are running your business as efficiently and effectively as possible? See how technology can assist you in keeping a closer track on your bottom line and maximize your profits while reducing the time your organization spends on communicating between departments.

The Price is Right. Or is it? Estimating Tips That Make SenseThe rules are simple and straightforward. To win, you must find an applicable price point that affords you an appropriate profit margin while, at the same time, keeps your competition at arm’s length and keeps your customers happy and satisfied.

Vinyl Sign PricingThis article will address a segment of the industry that tends to be found in almost all other types of sign companies - Vinyl Signs.

Mysterious Art of Electric Sign PricingThis article will discuss techniques commonly used in pricing electric signage such as illuminated box signs, channel letters, pylon signs, and neon. While some smaller companies will use area (a.k.a. rule-of-thumb pricing), the vast majority of electric sign companies all use the same technique: Cost-Plus pricing.

Commercial Screen Print PricingLike their digital brethren, commercial screen printers typically use two fundamental approaches to pricing depending on their size. The two methods are pricing tables and time-and-materials.

Digital Print PricingIn the last article, I touched on the elements of pricing. Chiefly, pricing will vary based on competition, industry practice, and the skill vs. cost of accuracy in pricing. With digital printing, these basic concepts hold true.

Pricing Approaches and AccuracyThis series on pricing and estimating will address the most common pricing approaches for different segments of the sign and graphics industry.

Finishing & LaminatingFinishing Options for Soft Signage and BannersThis article will take a look at some of the finishing options that are currently happening in this arena. More specifically, we will address cutting, sewing or welding as it relates to soft signage and banners (digital graphics printed on a textile or fabric-based material), and to some extent, garments.

Are You Finished Yet? Part 2When I began this article on finishing, I made the assumption that finishing was something that always occurred at the end of the printing process. After all, it is called 'finishing.'

Are You Finished Yet? Part 1Finishing a sign, banner, wrap or specialty item can be a multifaceted, potentially profitable process that should not be ignored.

Traditional Die Cutting Versus Digital Die CuttingWith increasing demand comes the growing need for better and faster technology in all sectors of the trade. This includes die cutting, a constantly evolving finishing technique that relies heavily on its relevance in the field.

Wide Format: Much More Than Just PrintTypically, signs, direct mail and printed collateral contribute to exposure, motivation and recognition of needs toward a product. These lower-value tools contribute to 30 percent of the buying decision. But research has demonstrated that 70 percent of purchasing decisions are made at the point of purchase.

Lasers Aren't Just for Acrylics AnymoreLasers do a great job of cutting acrylic with highly polished edges in one pass, far better than it can be 'cut' by routers. Not everybody knows that they also can do a fantastic job with most of the traditional materials used in today's printing world. Using the latest laser technology, solutions abound that change the speed barriers normally associated with cutting and finishing of printed graphics using what have been the fastest of the available knife cutting/router systems.

UV Protection For GraphicsLearn to judge for yourself whether your graphics are going to last as long as they are supposed to last.

UV Coating Technology: Past, Present & FutureBesides quicker curing times, today's liquid coatings have advanced to offer a variety of specialty finishes and applications. What was once an offering of a basic gloss, luster or matte finish has blossomed into a host of coating types that include specialty products like dry erase, anti-graffiti and even anti-slip finishes. Truly, a window of opportunity has been opened when it comes to UV curable liquid coating technology in terms of reduced cost and a wider variety of available products.

Turning Finishing from a Cost Center into a Profit CenterWhile finishers are easy to use and do a great job with timely and accurate finishing, are your estimators capable of accurately determining the true costs associated with finishing? Based on my experience, this is still more of an art than a science and most printers do not estimate finishing very well.

Know Your Tools: Finishing with EfficiencyFrom year to year, many companies change the products they make, or begin producing new product lines in niche areas that require new and different finishing methods. In some shops, the steps taken to finish products are done with inappropriate tools.

What You Need to Know About Pollution Prevention in Your ShopProtecting yourself, your employees and your community are just a few reasons why you want to be sure that your shop is compliant with all of the current safety regulations. One of the most important areas of safety that is often overlooked is the ventilation of your print shop.

Expanding Your Finishing Profitability, Part IPerhaps one of the greatest attributes of your company’s finishing department is the fact that, despite the whirlwind of technological change in all other facets of your business, your trusty laminator can still keep pace with the increasing demands of your customers. Your laminator is an investment that with the right amount of imagination, ingenuity and know-how can become more profitable for your business than ever before.

Benefits of Vehicle WrappingNeed some help selling vehicle wraps? Trade groups, sign shops and market researchers have ammunition to help you seal the deal.

The Art of Laminating: Tips to cold laminating ­ Part IIWe have discussed loading the laminates in part one. Now comes the nerve-racking part where you have to laminate a print in hopes that everything will go smoothly. In other words, no air bubbles and no wrinkles or else it’s back to the printing stage.

The Art of Laminating Part 3 - Making the investmentBefore you make the investment, you have to consider both your present needs and your future needs. The purchase of a laminator is similar to that of purchasing a car. A lot of decisions need to be made as to what bells and whistles come with the various models.

The UV-LED Inkjet Curing Revolution Gains MomentumThe use of UV-LED systems for the curing of UV inkjet inks continues to expand as equipment manufacturers bring this technology to a wide range of new equipment. Is inkjet ready for prime time, and what are the challenges faced in the adoption of the technology?

UV-LED Technology Update - stretching the limitsUV digital printing is the fastest growing segment in the wide-format printing industry and has taken a central place in the graphics business. And UV LED (light emitting diode) technology is poised to take on UV arc lamps as the next generation of UV light applications.

Beyond Rigids: Advice for the New World of UV-Curable Printing The increasing flexibility afforded by UV-curable printing combined with its environmental advantages have led to the creation of sign applications, which have traditionally only been realistic solutions for water-based and solvent/eco solvent devices.

Is White Ink Capability Really Such a Big Deal?Why is white ink capability so important? Are there meaningful applications? Let's consider some of the technical characteristics of piezoelectric inkjet white ink capability and the possibilities of its use.

A Primer on UV-Curable Inkjet InksSince 2006, there has been a incredible rush toward the use of UV-curable inks in most of the printing markets. This increase has been driven by new developments in ink technology and demand from printer manufacturers and end users.

Snapshot of the Sign Industry 3rd Quarter 2008For SignIndustry.com’s annual ‘pulse taking’ of the state of the sign industry, we peeked and probed into various facets of the industry to get an idea of the state of our trade before going into 2009.

The State of UV Inkjet Inks…the momentum is buildingThe advantage of 'curing' is simple: It allows ink to adhere to a broader range of substrates as compared to other digital printing technologies. On the other hand, there is a bit of a misconception that UV cured ink will stick to just about everything. Get a balanced view of UV curable pros and cons.

About White Ink In Black and WhiteCould white ink allow you to expand into new markets? Imagine the possibilities of expanding your services to include printing on leather, cardboard, wood, stone or some other non-traditional material.

Critical Questions to Consider When Looking at a Flatbed PurchaseThe purpose of this article is to provide the imaging professional with a list of critical questions to ask when shopping for a flatbed inkjet printer. By understanding these questions, then seeking answers to them, those printers looking to install flatbed inkjet units in their facilities will be able to make better purchasing decisions.

Garment DecorationOptimizing Art Files For Garment ProductionRegardless of the type of garment decorating you do, it is always important to set up and optimize your files properly prior to production, to make sure to get the best possible end product.

The Solution for Printing MoreThe most logical way to increase the return on a heat press investment is to increase production speed. Add to that the versatility of a heat press and heat-applied graphics present many ways for apparel decorators to take their business to the next level.

What's Happening with Digital TransfersThe evidence of digital technologies taking root in our industry is increasing rapidly. More and more garment decorators are adopting the use of these new technologies every day.

How to Know When to Turn Down a Garment Printing JobAsking the right questions is the first step to avoiding the job from hell. Do not agree to a job that is foreign to you until you know all that it entails, including the processes you'll need to use, what supplies you will require, and how much time and effort you will have to put into it.

Seasonal Maintenance for Direct-to-Garment PrintingWhen it comes to protecting your capital equipment investment for your business, nothing could be 'smarter' than putting your equipment at the top of your maintenance calendar schedule. You will drastically reduce the need to work 'harder' to keep your printer performing at peak levels.

5 Important Steps in Direct-to-Garment Printer MaintenanceIt is critical to your business that your printer be routinely maintained to assure its productive life and longevity. Direct-to-garment printers have evolved in just a few short years from a category of machines that were un-proven, to being recognized as very productive printers which require minor regular maintenance.

New Research Shows Influence of Digital Textile PrintingFor at least 10 years, there has been a lot of discussion about the possibilities and potential for inkjet in the textile printing business. One of the first industry events I ever attended was dedicated to the subject. At the time, the suggestion was that as inkjet technology developed, there would be a dramatic shift in the way textiles are printed, including the garment-type textile printing methods.

InstallationVehicle Wraps: Beyond the InstallationThe first time I observed a car getting wrapped was impressive. The car was transformed to a completely different color in one session, then in another session the crew installed graphics, logos and images.

Rivets - Two 'Right' WaysI've installed vinyl over millions of rivets, and I've tried every technique and tool imaginable. Here are the two ways I have found to be the best possible methods.

There is More to Signs than Meets the Eye - A Peek at PermitsThe obvious details when considering a sign include design, purchase costs, delivery and installation. However, lesser known, but equally important, details regarding signs can be overlooked, thus complicating things. One of these lesser-known details involves permits.

The Importance of Quality Installation Training and TechniquesQuality installers practice their craft daily, and know that the learning process is never-ending. Through their interaction with others in the industry, quality installers are quick to learn about cutting-edge materials, tools and techniques. The best installers are the ones with the most comprehensive knowledge and experience.

Vehicle Wrapping Contracts 101Wrapping vehicles without a signed contract that spells out what the customer should expect - and shouldn't expect - from your sign shop is a mistake that could cost you. Find out how to avoid liabilities with a solid contract.

Times Are Changing To A New ColorWhat is color change film and wrap? Are there advantages over paint? What are the differences between color change & printed wraps? To disassembe or not? Get the right perspective before you leap.

Frame It: The Uncovering of the Framing Segment of the Sign IndustryBusinesses who are getting involved in wide-format banner framing are discovering a niche with a demand that needs to be filled. This segment of the industry provides an opportunity for sign professionals to diversify their businesses while offering customers a unique choice in sign products.

New Opportunities for Graphics InstallersThrough SGIA's ongoing affiliation with the Professional Decal Application Alliance (PDAA), we have had a unique view into what is an increasingly competitive industry, particularly as new pressure-sensitive materials have made installation easier.

The Importance of Installation Site AuditsCustomers do not typically know why or how audit details impact their project, but your installers and you - the industry graphic experts - should make it a priority to educate them.

Efficiency in Vehicle Graphics InstallationThe key to shortening installation times is by shaving off a percentage of time spent on every aspect of the installation, especially on aspects that are not specific to the application of the graphics.

Investigating Graphics Installation for Retail MarketsHow confident are you that your customers' graphics will look good for the life of the intended applications? To help protect your customers' brands (and your reputation) this article discusses the necessary tests, standards and questions you should be asking your suppliers when it comes to graphic performance in a variety of environments.

Engineering & Testing Graphics for Reliable PerformanceHow confident are you that your customers' graphics will look good for the life of the intended applications? To help protect your customers' brands (and your reputation) this article discusses the necessary tests, standards and questions you should be asking your suppliers when it comes to graphic performance in a variety of environments.

Professionalism in Graphics InstallationWhen installers organize themselves and adopt sound business practices, there is a tremendous opportunity to profit, grow and prosper while moving the industry forward. Here are eight business practices you need to adopt.

A Closer Look at Graphics Installers For many graphic projects, installation is the final, critical step toward a successful result. Many graphic producers utilize the skills and expertise of Professional Decal Application Alliance (PDAA) installers to complete a broad range of installations. To learn more about these installers and the services they provide, Dan Marx, Managing Editor of the SGIA Journal, interviewed three PDAA Master Certified Installers: Rob Ivers of Rob Ivers, Inc., Pete Kouchis of VisuCom Graphics and Rick Stemmler of Creative Sign Resources.

Pressure Sensitive Films 101As manufacturers, printers and installers work to increase their profitability and build their reputations and customer bases, it is important to master the art of working with all film options available. When it comes to film types and recommendations, installers know what has worked for them in the past and what materials they like working with. They look to print shops for more than printing or packaging the final materials and they want you to provide solutions.

Avoiding Boat Wrapping MistakesVinyl is expensive. So is your reputation. Learn how to avoid the boat wrapping mistakes that could hurt your pocket-and your good name.

Boat Wrapping Secrets You Need to KnowIn case you haven't noticed, boats are curvier than most cars. That can spell trouble if you don't approach a boat wrap the right way. Discover the boat wrapping secrets you need to know.

Getting Ready to Wrap a Boat?Wrapping boats isn't rocket science-and you can learn a lot from your vehicle wrapping endeavors-but installing vinyl on a boat is different than applying vinyl to a vehicle. Find out why.

Wrapping a Mini Car is No Mini JobWrapping a miniature car may not be as hard a wrapping a semi, but it has its own unique challenges. Find out how SkinzWraps approaches Mini Coopers.

Vehicle Wrapping Contracts 101Wrapping vehicles without a signed contract that spells out what the customer should expect - and shouldn't expect - from your sign shop is a mistake that could cost you. Find out how to avoid liabilities with a solid contract.

Factors Impacting Vinyl Removal, Part ILearning what vinyl film is, the impact that the environment and the surface finish has on vinyl are all factors that will help you deal with the ultimate need to remove vinyl graphics.

Know Your Tools: Finishing with EfficiencyFrom year to year, many companies change the products they make, or begin producing new product lines in niche areas that require new and different finishing methods. In some shops, the steps taken to finish products are done with inappropriate tools.

Making the Most of Application FluidsUsing application fluids isn’t rocket science, but it’s not child’s play, either. Discover what you need to know to make the most of application fluids.

Take it Off...Vinyl that is.Right now there are multiple opportunities to create a tremendous cash stream. The question is, “Which companies will recognize the opportunities, respond to them, and thrive?”

Wrapping Tropicana FieldRead a first hand example of how vinyl wraps are playing a key role in both aesthetics, communications and advertising in stadiums across the country.

Special Tools for Textured Surface Stadium Wraps3M has developed special application tools and methods for use with its 8624 film. The 3M Textured Surface Applicator TSA-1 for large surfaces is critical for achieving proper adhesion. Find out what else is new.

Wrapping Oil RigsA Texas sign shop is wrapping the big rigs ­ and we don’t mean trucks. Discover the ins and outs of wrapping in an oil field.

Taking Care of Your Digital GraphicsInstalling graphics is only part of the job of selling wraps and flat surface installs. You need to make sure your end user is aware of how to properly care for their graphics once they are installed.

Removing Floor GraphicsNow that you’ve mastered installing floor graphics, what are you going to do when its’ time to remove them? Find out!

Vinyl Graphic Removal Made EasyVinyl removal can be a pain…that's a fact, but there's a new kid on the block that can help to make your vinyl removal projects less labor intensive and quicker to complete. And that's worth reading about.

C-C-Corrugations…Never Fear, Expert Advise is Here!Applying vinyl over rivets is one thing. Applying vinyl over corrugation is quite another. But don’t let that stop you. If you can learn to apply vinyl over corrugation, then you can tap into the lucrative world of fleets.

Perforated Vinyl: Opening Up The Vision of Sign OptionsPerforated vinyl film is fast becoming an excellent new form of advertising signage. This unique material allows easy adhesion to windows and motor vehicles, with the perforations enabling vision through the advertisement itself.

Tips and Tricks for Installing Full Wrap Vehicle GraphicsVehicle wraps are now used in place of expensive custom paint jobs. In addition to being a lower cost option to paint, the vinyl can be removed when the advertising campaign is over or you are ready to turn in your leased vehicle. This article will take you step-by-step through the process of installing a full vehicle wrap. It will offer tips and tricks on how to provide your customer with a high quality wrap.

Wrapping Done Around the WorldAre wrapping techniques any different in London than they are in Los Angeles? Find out from one of the United Kingdom’s top vehicle wrapping companies.

Dealing with the 'R' Word...RivetsLearn the time-tested techniques of how to properly apply vinyl over rivets. Discover a five-step process that will help you deal with these annoying, yet necessary fasteners.

So You Want To Be a Vinyl ProBefore you can claim professional installer status, you have to learn the basics to avoid common mistakes. Discover some fundamentals tips that will serve you well for many years.

Heritage Graphics and Scaffold Wraps From Manhattan's Times Square to an Argentinan Palace, outdoor graphics has put unsightly construction under wraps with over the top picturesque renderings, art images or patriotic beautification panels

LED DisplaysHershey’s ­ How Sweet It Is: The Eye-Candy of Times SquareIn the middle of all its surrounding Times Square spectaculars, billboards and sign edifices, stands the flagship Hershey Times Square, a retail gift store which is a chocolate confectionary paradise that is the center of the chocolate universe.

Media Facades: High-Tech Digital Building WrapsNow with LED video screens comes the outdoor advertising impulse to create the ultimate building wrap, a media facade, which is an LED video screen that completely covers the front of a building and presents a kaleidoscope of imagery that dances across the building.

City of Dreams: A Media Mecca in MacauWith a glowing radiance as your approach the city skyline, you think you're approaching Las Vegas, but it's the cityscape of Macau, an island off of Mainland China, that for decades has been a gaming Mecca of the Orient. And a unique view it is...

The Perfect Partnership, Foam Monument Signs & LED Message CentersYou can offer your clients the best of both worlds. The durability and versatility of a foam monument sign paired with the dynamic messaging and powerful flexibility features of the LED message center create a commanding signage partnership that offers your clients the best of the both worlds.

Digital Outdoor Expands in Public SpaceAs much as outdoor digital signage has become a significant billboard advertising medium, so has digital signage migrated into the urban cityscape and is just now finding a home with street furniture incorporating itself into bus shelters, news stands and other furniture structures as it makes sense.

City of Dreams: A Media Mecca in MacauWith a glowing radiance as your approach the city skyline, you think you're approaching Las Vegas, but it's the cityscape of Macau, an island off of Mainland China, that for decades has been a gaming Mecca of the Orient. And a unique view it is...

Using Pencil Selling to Close More Digital Sign DealsSome prefer to call it a return on investment (R.O.I.) analysis. I still call it pencil selling. It's the art of taking a prospect through the mathematical process of understanding how the cost of what they're buying is justified by its return.

One Times Square: A Global Icon Marks Time - 2003-2010, Part IISlowly, but surely between 2003 to 2010, one spectacular display after another on One Times Square has been upgraded with a more modern version of itself or outright replaced with a new client and a new spectacular. See how the poster child of signage has evolved in place.

One Times Square Revisions: Signage in the crossroads of the world through the yearsIf any building was to be dedicated as homage to sign displays, honors could easily point to One Times Square. It stands tall not only in height, but also throughout its 100 plus year history with its influence on iconic advertising, on sign displays, with its vinyl and electronic billboards and its timeless metaphors, all wedded to the building from top (the annual New Year's Eve ball drop) to the bottom (the news zipper wrapped around the building's base).

World Tour of Electronic Digital Building WrapsMedia facades, which are one of the newest territories of electronic signage, have blossomed in a number of directions with great promise to LED sign manufacturers, sign integrators, architects, media planners and urban developers who all see this super-sized signage as an urban landscape enhancement.

Media Facades: High-Tech Digital Building WrapsNow with LED video screens comes the outdoor advertising impulse to create the ultimate building wrap, a media facade, which is an LED video screen that completely covers the front of a building and presents a kaleidoscope of imagery that dances across the building.

Digital Billboards Ho!In the 1840s, it was wagons ho and west to the new frontier. Thousands of people staked their fortune, their family and their future on the uncharted territories of westward expansion. Today, digital billboards are staking out new territories across the US of A.

Hershey’s ­ How Sweet It Is: The Eye-Candy of Times SquareIn the middle of all its surrounding Times Square spectaculars, billboards and sign edifices, stands the flagship Hershey Times Square, a retail gift store which is a chocolate confectionary paradise that is the center of the chocolate universe.

Marquee Magic: Marquees Become a Window to Stage and ScreenThe marquee's original form harkens back to a message reader board with a large back lit white translucent display with changeable black plastic letters that were rearranged for each new program within the theater. Today that can all be done via LED message centers directing the public's attention to what's playing inside the theater.

Color and Luminance Uniformity Correction for LED Video ScreensLED video screens are amazing. They are bright enough to see in broad daylight; they can stand up to severe weather conditions, they last almost forever, and they consume far less power than CRT technology. If only they weren’t so blotchy! This article explains the causes of luminance and color non-uniformity in LED screens, and what screen manufacturers can and are doing to fix these problems.

Coke- It's the Real Thing!In making its presence known to a thirsty public, Coca-Cola's familiar bright red background, cursive script logo and contour bottle has been printed, painted, postered and plastered on the sides of delivery trucks, on billboards, and on buildings in just about every major city around the world.

Roadside Text Messaging on LED Display Signs LED electronic signage has evolved into several types of highway sign systems that aid highway traffic managers by alerting drivers of current travel conditions to aid in traffic flow.

King Kong Embraces Times Square with Electronic Signage DebutThe latest remake of the King Kong epic, directed by Peter Jackson, sought out its east coast premiere in the place where the big ape met his demise, in New York City. Nothing is too good for the premiere of his latest film and only in New York City could a film of such epic proportion have an opening of similar grandeur.

Rent, Lease or Finance Your Sign EquipmentFind the right answer to the question of whether your sign business should rent, lease or own the equipment used in your operations. Few sign professionals are able to accept the fact that there is no one right answer that fits everyone or every situtation.

Taking LED’s on the RoadThe market for mobile LED displays is jumping forward again as sign companies take jumbo TV advertisements for a test drive.

Dynamic Digital Signage - The New Age of Advertising Dynamic Digital Signage has emerged as the “Next Killer Application” for the new generation of sign technology in the advertising industry. A digital signage system, which is usually composed of a server or PC, a monitor or TV and software, is capable of delivering full-screen, full-color content to multiple locations. Cost of implementation has been reduced significantly over the past two years, making it possible for Digital Signage to be in the mainstream marketplace. This is evidenced by the extensive usage of digital signage at airports, museums and shopping centers. The growth rate is projected to increase significantly in the next few years as the technology matures.

LED Displays: A Formidable FoeThe scuttlebutt continues over who is number one: Mr. LED, with his promise of longer life, Mr. Neon with her bragging rights of years of loyalty to the Sign Man, or Mr. Fiber Optics and his daring attempt to play it safe under wet conditions. Who will be victorious?

The Super Bowl of SignsNext generation scoreboards are offering new opportunities for sign makers who can design and install monstrous LED signs.

TOYS 'R US: Toys with Digital SignageThe Center of the Toy Universe can be found in Times Square and it's operated by Toys 'R Us. With 110,000 square feet of various toy shopping zones, all aligned within three floors of merchandising space, the toy universe is a vast space.

Movie Theaters and the Art of Electronic SignageModern multiplex movie theaters generate huge audiences who visit the theaters for their continuing film fix. As these audiences circulate from box office to auditorium, much of the audience's visitor experience is guided by signs alerting theater guests to everything from ticket prices to directions to the auditorium.

LED Video Screens On The MoveIn the world of show business and corporate events, large screen LED video presentations have come to be a critical part of how these events are seen by their audiences.

The Many Advantages of Plasma Display SignageWhen it comes to indoor displays, plasma is one of the most versatile media available today. The content for plasma displays is easy to create and manage, especially with a solid software program.

LED Message Reader Boards: Town criers of the modern age They are everywhere. You see them over bank entrances, in fast food stores as menu/order boards, in store windows, on building walls, in airports and other public transit waiting areas. They announce the news, tell time, proclaim the latest sport scores and tell if your stocks have gone up or down. They are the town criers of the modern age.

LED Concourse Fascia: Lights, Motion and New Dimension in SignageTake one sports stadium, a high-tech LED video display board complete with flashy programming displays, the stadium concourse frontage, a creative advertising program and carefully mix them all together. When the dust settles you have a totally blended, completely enclosed electronic display format that is half advertising and half entertainment and fully engaging to the audiences that watch it during game breaks.

Factory Signage Goes Electronic In today's business climate, communication needs have to be instantaneous, interactive and proactive allowing employees to create timely decisions based on up-to-the-minute facts of the manufacturing process as it massages raw materials into a properly managed production cycle of finished goods.

Signage in MotionSigns are moving from static banners to dynamic displays. Find out what retailers are looking for in the 21st century.

What Color is That? Not My Color!Consistent light and color is demanded by major customer brands, as well as specific colors, color palette and style guide; however, meeting these demands with LED backlighting can be a challenge.

What Makes a Great LED?Now that LED lighting for the sign industry is a mature market, a number of potential concerns have arisen that you need to consider.

Color and Luminance Uniformity Correction for LED Video ScreensLED video screens are amazing. They are bright enough to see in broad daylight; they can stand up to severe weather conditions, they last almost forever, and they consume far less power than CRT technology. If only they weren’t so blotchy! This article explains the causes of luminance and color non-uniformity in LED screens, and what screen manufacturers can and are doing to fix these problems.

LEDs: 'Channeling' More Opportunities to Sign MakersTechnology advancements continually improve the way sign companies conduct business. One of the segments of the sign industry advancing quickly due to new technology is the electrical sign industry, and specifically, the illuminated channel letter segment.

High Brightness LEDs Shine OnLight Emiting Diodes (LEDs) have distinguished themselves as a highly unique and significant lighting source that has both immediate and far reaching consequences for the sign industry.

Lighting Up with LEDsLEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are increasingly playing a larger role in both the architectural and signage market. Over the past few years, more and more LED system providers are offering LED channel lighting products and more are expected to enter this field.

Channel Letter Lighting...To Be LED or Not To Be?Channel letters fill a need for corporate IDs and building identity programs on the sides of building and have done so for decades. Times are changing and more than filling a need is that the channel letters are now filled in terms of their lighting source.

Recognizing LED LightingTechnology for Sign UseThe technology of LED lighting has greatly improved over the last few years and is constantly dropping in price and getting brighter across the spectrum, resulting in new applications for its use in sign illumination and border lighting.

Neon & Channel LettersAir Supplies There are probably as many different techniques in the use and operation of a neon plant as there are glassblowers, and the only thing that is important is what works best for you.

Allianz Tops Off Skyscraper with Corporate IDAllianz exercises their awarded top of the building signage rights to 1633 Broadway in NYC with some monster channel letters. How they got them there is a story unto itself. Read on...

LED Maintenance ThoughtsWith the almost total acceptance of LED for channel letters and increasing use of dedicated modules for cabinet lighting, our industry has to look at the long term effects of such a liability free product.

Hard Rock Café: An ode to the guitarRock & Roll! It's the music of the world and it's sound is stroked from a group of musical instruments, but central to its melodies is the guitar. Who can love rock & roll and not have a favorite guitar riff, or favorite guitar moment? Step inside the world of the Hard Rock guitar legend.

Hershey’s ­ How Sweet It Is: The Eye-Candy of Times SquareIn the middle of all its surrounding Times Square spectaculars, billboards and sign edifices, stands the flagship Hershey Times Square, a retail gift store which is a chocolate confectionary paradise that is the center of the chocolate universe.

Coke- It's the Real Thing!In making its presence known to a thirsty public, Coca-Cola's familiar bright red background, cursive script logo and contour bottle has been printed, painted, postered and plastered on the sides of delivery trucks, on billboards, and on buildings in just about every major city around the world.

Take Me Out to the Ball GameCincinnati’s Great American Ballpark offers proof positive that effective sign design can inform, entertain, commemorate ­ and stand out in a crowd.

LEDs: 'Channeling' More Opportunities to Sign MakersTechnology advancements continually improve the way sign companies conduct business. One of the segments of the sign industry advancing quickly due to new technology is the electrical sign industry, and specifically, the illuminated channel letter segment.

High Brightness LEDs Shine OnLight Emiting Diodes (LEDs) have distinguished themselves as a highly unique and significant lighting source that has both immediate and far reaching consequences for the sign industry.

Lighting Up with LEDsLEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are increasingly playing a larger role in both the architectural and signage market. Over the past few years, more and more LED system providers are offering LED channel lighting products and more are expected to enter this field.

Channel Letter Lighting...To Be LED or Not To Be?Channel letters fill a need for corporate IDs and building identity programs on the sides of building and have done so for decades. Times are changing and more than filling a need is that the channel letters are now filled in terms of their lighting source.

Promoting NeonThe neon trade has a relatively short history and sadly, much of it is marked with secrecy and distrust that perseveres even today. This keeping apprehension stems from an earlier time when neon was novel in the marketplace, sovereign in the sign trade and extremely profitable. Folks tried to steal or conceal their neon secrets; those tricks of the trade that they believed would propel them or maintain their lead within the industry.

Finding the Neon Light, Part Three - The Father of NeonInspired in part by Daniel McFarlan Moore's invention, Moore’s Lamp, Paris born chemist and inventor, Georges Claude (1870 - 1960) discovered that passing an electric current through inert gases made them light very brightly.

Finding the Neon Light, Part Two: The InsightsWe continue illuminating neon’s rise from historical darkness with the second article in this series of three. This one attests the observations and endeavors of other’s helped to build the products, tools and materials used in our trade today.

Finding the Neon Light, Part One ­ The ElementsConsider this series of articles “how-you” more so than “how-to.” Because hopefully they will help uncover how you fit into neon’s rise from the depths of historical darkness, from the ocean of time past to the bright neon wave of the present.

Neon and Fluorescents: A Circus of SimilaritiesWhen properly manufactured and installed a neon tube can light for decades and it is far more efficient than an incandescent bulb. But it is arguable that the fluorescent won the tube lighting system honor, that it became the illuminating tube du jour.

Three Neon Myths DispelledI’m sure you’ve heard it said, “Neon uses a lot of electricity.” It’s a common misconception. Unfortunately, there are held by the public many misconceptions about neon: “Neon is expensive,” “Neon is a public safety hazard.”

Mercury In The ShopMercury or quicksilver as it is called, is that shiny, silver-white, odorless liquid we neon craftsman innocently roll into argon filled tubes to brighten them. We also use it in some diffusion pumps attached to our tube pumping system to aid tube processing. But did you know mercury is everywhere?

Troubleshooting Basic BendsIt goes without question that many smaller elements make up a sign. And that the quality of each component contributes to the sign’s total caliber.

The Layman’s Science of Tube ProcessingTo describe the science of tube processing would rely heavily on physics and chemistry. Both are sciences with developed vocabulary, common equations and laws.

Making the Cut In the process of making neon, one of the most important procedures is the cutting and splicing of the glass tubing. There are many different techniques and various tools that can be used that I would like to discuss.

Jacob's LadderThere is a safer way to work with a bombarding transformer. Learn how to create your own Jacob's Ladder

The Evolving Soft Signage Market: Part 1The global printing industry has changed dramatically over the past decade. Where vinyl, plastic and paper were once the primary substrates of choice for signage, textiles have begun to take center stage.

There is More to Signs than Meets the Eye - A Peek at PermitsThe obvious details when considering a sign include design, purchase costs, delivery and installation. However, lesser known, but equally important, details regarding signs can be overlooked, thus complicating things. One of these lesser-known details involves permits.

What You Need to Know About Pollution Prevention in Your ShopProtecting yourself, your employees and your community are just a few reasons why you want to be sure that your shop is compliant with all of the current safety regulations. One of the most important areas of safety that is often overlooked is the ventilation of your print shop.

Going Grand? Does It Make Sense for Your Business?Speed, quality and increased productivity, these three fundamental components have always been the foundation for success in our industry. There is no better time than now to 'Go Grand' as new technologies in printers, printheads and inks continue to emerge.

Tips for Large Format DesignOver the years, some of the same questions reappear as designers new to the large- and grand-format industry transition from designing small printed pieces to very large advertising artwork. Read on to learn more.

The State of Industrial Large-Format Inkjet PrintingRepresentatives of four high-production, large-format industrial inkjet machine manufacturers share their views on the current state of the industry, how technology has evolved over the past year and where technology is headed in the year ahead.

Taking Care of Your Digital GraphicsInstalling graphics is only part of the job of selling wraps and flat surface installs. You need to make sure your end user is aware of how to properly care for their graphics once they are installed.

Allianz Tops Off Skyscraper with Corporate IDAllianz exercises their awarded top of the building signage rights to 1633 Broadway in NYC with some monster channel letters. How they got them there is a story unto itself. Read on...

The UV-LED Inkjet Curing Revolution Gains MomentumThe use of UV-LED systems for the curing of UV inkjet inks continues to expand as equipment manufacturers bring this technology to a wide range of new equipment. Is inkjet ready for prime time, and what are the challenges faced in the adoption of the technology?

Digital Outdoor Expands in Public SpaceAs much as outdoor digital signage has become a significant billboard advertising medium, so has digital signage migrated into the urban cityscape and is just now finding a home with street furniture incorporating itself into bus shelters, news stands and other furniture structures as it makes sense.

Barclays Bank Lights up Times Square SkylineFor all the bank buildings Barclays Bank has occupied since its founding in 1690, one of its latest building acquisitions, a new location in Manhattan, required some extra finesse in putting up its iconic insignia on the top of its new headquarters in Times Square.

Hard Rock Café: An ode to the guitarRock & Roll! It's the music of the world and it's sound is stroked from a group of musical instruments, but central to its melodies is the guitar. Who can love rock & roll and not have a favorite guitar riff, or favorite guitar moment? Step inside the world of the Hard Rock guitar legend.

Is White Ink Capability Really Such a Big Deal?Why is white ink capability so important? Are there meaningful applications? Let's consider some of the technical characteristics of piezoelectric inkjet white ink capability and the possibilities of its use.

Understanding Large-Format ApplicationsThe scientific approach to purchasing manufacturing equipment that will meet your customers' needs. There are many opinions, but you need to match your customers needs for their application, not the salesperson's opinion of what they are selling.

Answering the Call from Sign HatersMake no mistake about it; there are some people who simply do not like signs - some, in fact, actually hate them. If you have been in the industry for even a relatively short time, we've encountered them - usually, and unfortunately, as part of a local committee to regulate signs.

Factors Impacting Vinyl Removal, Part ILearning what vinyl film is, the impact that the environment and the surface finish has on vinyl are all factors that will help you deal with the ultimate need to remove vinyl graphics.

Take it Off...Vinyl that is.Right now there are multiple opportunities to create a tremendous cash stream. The question is, “Which companies will recognize the opportunities, respond to them, and thrive?”

Media Facades: High-Tech Digital Building WrapsNow with LED video screens comes the outdoor advertising impulse to create the ultimate building wrap, a media facade, which is an LED video screen that completely covers the front of a building and presents a kaleidoscope of imagery that dances across the building.

Making Waves With Photo SailsPhoto Sails may seem like a simple idea. But the concept was hardly simple to execute. It took nearly four years of product testing and marketing to come up with the first real Photo Sail.

A Primer on UV-Curable Inkjet InksSince 2006, there has been a incredible rush toward the use of UV-curable inks in most of the printing markets. This increase has been driven by new developments in ink technology and demand from printer manufacturers and end users.

Wrapping Tropicana FieldRead a first hand example of how vinyl wraps are playing a key role in both aesthetics, communications and advertising in stadiums across the country.

Snapshot of the Sign Industry 3rd Quarter 2008For SignIndustry.com’s annual ‘pulse taking’ of the state of the sign industry, we peeked and probed into various facets of the industry to get an idea of the state of our trade before going into 2009.

Special Tools for Textured Surface Stadium Wraps3M has developed special application tools and methods for use with its 8624 film. The 3M Textured Surface Applicator TSA-1 for large surfaces is critical for achieving proper adhesion. Find out what else is new.

Stadium Advertising: A Sporty OpportunityWhy do you need to understand the advertising opportunities in stadiums? So you can help to sell it to your client. Discover what you need to know about stadium wrappings sporty opportunity.

Wrapping the FairIf you think wrapping mega slides is the same as wrapping cars, think again. Discover how to navigate the challenges that could spell opportunity for you.

Wrapping Oil RigsA Texas sign shop is wrapping the big rigs ­ and we don’t mean trucks. Discover the ins and outs of wrapping in an oil field.

Taking Care of Your Digital GraphicsInstalling graphics is only part of the job of selling wraps and flat surface installs. You need to make sure your end user is aware of how to properly care for their graphics once they are installed.

Hershey’s ­ How Sweet It Is: The Eye-Candy of Times SquareIn the middle of all its surrounding Times Square spectaculars, billboards and sign edifices, stands the flagship Hershey Times Square, a retail gift store which is a chocolate confectionary paradise that is the center of the chocolate universe.

Floor Graphics: Walking into OpportunityThe floor graphics concept was ahead of its time a few years ago, but if you haven’t gotten into this side of the business yet, there is no time like the present.

Marquee Magic: Marquees Become a Window to Stage and ScreenThe marquee's original form harkens back to a message reader board with a large back lit white translucent display with changeable black plastic letters that were rearranged for each new program within the theater. Today that can all be done via LED message centers directing the public's attention to what's playing inside the theater.

Solvent Printers and Air Quality ControlFor years, it has been accepted the smelly operating conditions are par for the course and normal in shops with solvent printers, but we have come to a turning point where these fumes and odors are more than just a nuisance. They pose real health concerns.

Choosing the Best Ink to Print on VinylSome digital print shops stick to the ink their printer manufacturer offers. But that might not always be the best choice for your vinyl print job. Your overarching goal is to match your ink to your media. Find out what you need to know.

Coke- It's the Real Thing!In making its presence known to a thirsty public, Coca-Cola's familiar bright red background, cursive script logo and contour bottle has been printed, painted, postered and plastered on the sides of delivery trucks, on billboards, and on buildings in just about every major city around the world.

Roadside Text Messaging on LED Display Signs LED electronic signage has evolved into several types of highway sign systems that aid highway traffic managers by alerting drivers of current travel conditions to aid in traffic flow.

The Rundown on Calendered Vinyl FilmsCalendered vinyl films were once thought of as an inferior economical choice, but some calendered vinyl film manufacturers have come a long way in terms of product quality and breadth, by offering conformability, durability and that image pop that is required for the application.

Minskoff Theater Sign Makeover: Everyone Must See the Lion KingThe Minskoff Theatre (1,597 seats), one of the many major live performing venues along Broadway has recently undergone a signage transformation of its old blade / marquee and window display into a very modern and elegant sign package that was fit for a king: The Lion King that was.

When Ink Is Not the Problem with Digital Printing, Part IVariables like surface tension, media expansion and ink absorption take on new dimensions on larger substrates. If the paper doesn’t advance, it could cause blobs of ink or other ugly outcomes. If the media stretches even a little, you could get blurs. Tiling can become a challenge on larger prints. Read on to discover what to do when ink is not the problem.

Take Me Out to the Ball GameCincinnati’s Great American Ballpark offers proof positive that effective sign design can inform, entertain, commemorate ­ and stand out in a crowd.

Printers’ Challenges in Meeting Fire CodesAll printed banners, wall coverings, display booth fabrics, table skirts, tents, awnings, carpeting, window treatments, interior furnishing and vinyl-coated fabrics are required to meet flame-retardant standards for homes, offices or other assembly places (Flammable Fabrics Act, 1953). The challenges of meeting these fire standards and codes have increased with the development of new synthetic fibers and the ink applications to these fibers, which create a liability risk for the specialty printer.

Navigating To Complete Color Workflow ManagementThe explosion of digital imaging and printing in the sign industry has left many in the business in something of a conundrum. Here's this wonderful new machine on the floor that did such incredible things at the tradeshow, but how do you make it do them, do them consistently, and do them profitably?

Extreme Makeover: Business Signage EditionFastsigns International, Inc. chose 4 different businesses to receive a signage makeover. The four businesses chosen for the makeovers pondered many of the same things when they learned that they were selected for this free signage makeover. Would it draw in new customers? Would it boost sales? Would anyone even notice? The results speak for themselves.

The State of UV Inkjet Inks…the momentum is buildingThe advantage of 'curing' is simple: It allows ink to adhere to a broader range of substrates as compared to other digital printing technologies. On the other hand, there is a bit of a misconception that UV cured ink will stick to just about everything. Get a balanced view of UV curable pros and cons.

The Fine Art of InksLarge format printers with special inks are producing top quality prints that sell in museums for tens of thousands of dollars. Find out what you need to know to take your cut by producing these fine art prints.

More Than Art for Art’s SakeThere is a fine line between signage and art and sometimes there is no line at all. Art becomes the sign and the sign becomes art. To some, even a traffic sign is seen as art.

SGIA '06: Show Recap 'Exhibiting the Future Now'When SignIndustry.com visits friends at the SGIA Expo, we are never surprised at the level of professionalism, expertise, and creativity that is displayed down the isles, in the booths, and at the seminars. SGIA '06 was no exception producing a special excitement in the air with abundant energy and a sense of exhilaration.

About White Ink In Black and WhiteCould white ink allow you to expand into new markets? Imagine the possibilities of expanding your services to include printing on leather, cardboard, wood, stone or some other non-traditional material.

Expanding Your Ink HorizonsPrinters today can accommodate up to 16-color inksets. But would that really benefit your shop? Find out the advantages and disadvantages of expanding your ink horizons.

Snapshot of the Sign Industry 3rd Quarter 2006SignIndustry.com went looking at a handful of companies from various areas of the country as well as different segments of our industry to put our finger on the pulse and determine the state of the industry and where we are heading.

Vinyl Graphic Removal Made EasyVinyl removal can be a pain…that's a fact, but there's a new kid on the block that can help to make your vinyl removal projects less labor intensive and quicker to complete. And that's worth reading about.

Wrapping VegasThe basic elements are the same with wraps of all sizes, but large mass transit wraps offer some additional challenges that offer valuable lessons from graphics installers of all shapes and sizes.

Trying to Make Sense of the Graphics Market MessUnderstanding your business and how it fits into the evolving U.S. graphics industry may well be vital in your survivial in the changing marketplace involving screen printing, wide-format imaging and your sign shop. Part 1 of a 3 part series.

Critical Questions to Consider When Looking at a Flatbed PurchaseThe purpose of this article is to provide the imaging professional with a list of critical questions to ask when shopping for a flatbed inkjet printer. By understanding these questions, then seeking answers to them, those printers looking to install flatbed inkjet units in their facilities will be able to make better purchasing decisions.

C-C-Corrugations…Never Fear, Expert Advise is Here!Applying vinyl over rivets is one thing. Applying vinyl over corrugation is quite another. But don’t let that stop you. If you can learn to apply vinyl over corrugation, then you can tap into the lucrative world of fleets.

Unlocking the Psychology of SignageSuccessful sign making depends on effective visual communication. Understanding how consumers relate to signage, then, is key to helping your customers unlock the door to greater revenues.

Rent, Lease or Finance Your Sign EquipmentFind the right answer to the question of whether your sign business should rent, lease or own the equipment used in your operations. Few sign professionals are able to accept the fact that there is no one right answer that fits everyone or every situtation.

Cast vs. Calendered VinylLearn the differences and why to use the right vinyl in the right application. There huge differences and a quick read through this article will help you understand all the ins and outs of calendered and cast vinyls.

What You Need to Know About Pollution Prevention in Your ShopProtecting yourself, your employees and your community are just a few reasons why you want to be sure that your shop is compliant with all of the current safety regulations. One of the most important areas of safety that is often overlooked is the ventilation of your print shop.

Perforated Vinyl: Opening Up The Vision of Sign OptionsPerforated vinyl film is fast becoming an excellent new form of advertising signage. This unique material allows easy adhesion to windows and motor vehicles, with the perforations enabling vision through the advertisement itself.

Training Your Signshop To Use New Equipment & SoftwareTo produce eye-catching, quality prints and signs, printing machines and software require skilled operators. One way operators acquire their skill is through training. Delve inside to catch the scoop on the different options available to take advantage of all the features of your equipment and software.

LED Displays: A Formidable FoeThe scuttlebutt continues over who is number one: Mr. LED, with his promise of longer life, Mr. Neon with her bragging rights of years of loyalty to the Sign Man, or Mr. Fiber Optics and his daring attempt to play it safe under wet conditions. Who will be victorious?

Tips and Tricks for Installing Full Wrap Vehicle GraphicsVehicle wraps are now used in place of expensive custom paint jobs. In addition to being a lower cost option to paint, the vinyl can be removed when the advertising campaign is over or you are ready to turn in your leased vehicle. This article will take you step-by-step through the process of installing a full vehicle wrap. It will offer tips and tricks on how to provide your customer with a high quality wrap.

Wrapping Done Around the WorldAre wrapping techniques any different in London than they are in Los Angeles? Find out from one of the United Kingdom’s top vehicle wrapping companies.

Tri-Message on a Truck?What do you get when you mix motional advertising with mobile billboards? A hot advertising concept. Find out how to tap into a new revenue stream by combining tri-message signage and mobile advertising.

Dealing with the 'R' Word...RivetsLearn the time-tested techniques of how to properly apply vinyl over rivets. Discover a five-step process that will help you deal with these annoying, yet necessary fasteners.

Roll-On!A memorial on 18 wheels to commorate the memory of the victims of September 11th.

SGIA ’04 Recap: The Microcosm Meets the MacrocosmThe digital revolution. UV. The marriage of digital and screen. Multiple technologies. The buzz of energized attendees joined the hum of equipment at SGIA ’04 (Minneapolis, October 6­9), where more than 11,000 people represented 73 countries and every US state.

The Successful Integration of Digital Imaging Technology, Part IIntegrating digital imaging technology into your existing facility may represent a step into the unknown. Like a classical music enthusiast first discovering jazz, the company adopting digital is introduced to a fascinating new world that is puzzlingly different, yet strangely familiar. The equipment looks different, the buzzwords are different, but the final goal is the same: to produce and sell high-quality printed materials to paying customers.

Color Management for a Monitor-to-Print MatchAdvancements in color measurement instruments and color management software have made it possible for nearly everyone to afford at least a monitor calibration system, so monitor-to-print match today is the rule rather than the exception.

Sign Pricing Series - Digital Print PricingIn the last article, I touched on the elements of pricing. Chiefly, pricing will vary based on competition, industry practice, and the skill vs. cost of accuracy in pricing. With digital printing, these basic concepts hold true.

So You Want To Be a Vinyl ProBefore you can claim professional installer status, you have to learn the basics to avoid common mistakes. Discover some fundamentals tips that will serve you well for many years.

VEHICLE WRAPS COVER UPS: the world is watching Vehicle and fleet wraps are efficient and effective means for placing outdoor signage in plain sight by turning a bus, truck, touring vehicle or car into a mobile billboard that puts a client's advertising all over the place.

Billboards Save ChildrenIt’s a statistic that’s hard to swallow: each day, more than 2,000 children are reported missing in the United States. This staggering figure is part of the inspiration behind a new project called Rigs for Kids, a program that turns 18-wheelers into mobile billboards with pictures of missing children.

Heritage Graphics and Scaffold Wraps From Manhattan's Times Square to an Argentinan Palace, outdoor graphics has put unsightly construction under wraps with over the top picturesque renderings, art images or patriotic beautification panels

The Art of Laminating Part 3 - Making the investmentBefore you make the investment, you have to consider both your present needs and your future needs. The purchase of a laminator is similar to that of purchasing a car. A lot of decisions need to be made as to what bells and whistles come with the various models.

Painted SignsWall Dog Advertising: Hand-painted Advertising Makes a ComebackWith a simple brush and stroke, most sign men back in the day were painters, and every vertical surface they came across held the promise of painting an advertisement about a product or sale to chase down. Reintroducing the painters, the Wall Dogs.

What You Need to Know About Pollution Prevention in Your ShopProtecting yourself, your employees and your community are just a few reasons why you want to be sure that your shop is compliant with all of the current safety regulations. One of the most important areas of safety that is often overlooked is the ventilation of your print shop.

How to Sell Your Airbrushed VinylButch 'Superfrog' Anton shares his secrets of his success in selling airbrushed vinyl. Hint: it’s a three-tiered pricing approach. Read on to learn more.

Screen PrintingWhy is Screen Printing Still Relevant in 2017?A question that has been asked more often in our print technology than any other since the invention of inkjet printers in 1996 is, 'Why is screen printing still relevant?' The answer is...

Screenprinting 101 Part IIThese articles are written with the beginner in mind, many times there are several answers to the same problem. In this format, the answer comes from my years of experience in the screenpriting industry both as an equipment manufacturer and first and foremost, a screenprinter. The information presented in these articles is general in scope and written with these basics in mind.

Separations for Garment Screen PrintingDon't be a vector snob, see how I do 1500 - 1800 separations per year in Photoshop. Read on to learn that we don't need any more vector snobs to get the job done.

How to Know When to Turn Down a Garment Printing JobAsking the right questions is the first step to avoiding the job from hell. Do not agree to a job that is foreign to you until you know all that it entails, including the processes you'll need to use, what supplies you will require, and how much time and effort you will have to put into it.

Screen Printing UV Special Effects - Thick Deposit Graphics and TexturesThis article provides a processing guide for addressing printing thick deposit effects to simulate textures or add 3-D structure to the print surface from creation of the artwork to pre-press to printing and finishing. Doing your homework can make a big difference in effectively overcoming the obstacles to successfully (and profitably) printing these effects.

Eliminate Printing Defects Caused by Static ElectricityFor the digital and screen printing industry, the most common problems associated with static are dust attraction, printing defects and shocks to operators. Learn how to identify and mitigate these real-world challenges.

Stencil Washout Techniques, Part 2Washout will impact your print results. Follow along in this conclusion to learn the rest of this important sub-process of washout techniques to will help you create the best print results. One more variable to be controlled and repeated to attain consistent tonal-range reproduction and print quality.

Stencil Washout Techniques, Part IStencil development or washout seems simple and easy, and not a variable worthy of concern or extra time. But washout often becomes an important sub-process that will impact print results. Just like any other variable, it must be controlled and repeated to attain consistent tonal-range reproduction and print quality.

Computer to Screen (CTS) TodayAre you waiting for film to disappear before you change? Inkjet CTS systems have a very low-cost consumable, and it isn’t going away for a long time.

Stretching Your Own Screens: Does It Make Sense for Your Business?Stretching screens in-house can help boost production, reduce downtime and give your shop the flexibility to take on a wider range of jobs. But it also requires a considerable investment, and can divert precious resources from your core operation. Is it right for your shop? Take a look and see.

Screen Preparation: A Cornerstone for Successful Screen PrintingUnderstanding the wide range of mesh preparation products, and when to use them, can be a challenge. This guide will clearly explain the product similarities and differences, as well as how to properly use mesh preparation as a part of your process improvement program.

Halftone Stencils: Getting Film Quality with Direct EmulsionsFilm stencils are widely praised for their ability to accurately reproduce fine detail such as the thousands upon thousands of tiny dots that make up a halftone. The key to success lies on the print side of the screen, where the smooth surface of a film stencil provides a tight seal with the surface of the substrate. This seal sharply restricts ink flow, which results in sharply defined prints.

Printing Halftones (Part Two): Two Critical Factors in Halftone StencilsWe've come to the point in the process where we need to start thinking about creating a halftone stencil. The qualities that make good halftone stencils are substantially the same as those of any other stencil used in finely detailed printing, though as always, we have to be prepared to meet higher standards of accuracy.

Trying to Make Sense of the Graphics Market MessUnderstanding your business and how it fits into the evolving U.S. graphics industry may well be vital in your survivial in the changing marketplace involving screen printing, wide-format imaging and your sign shop. Part 1 of a 3 part series.

Making Halftone Positives for ScreeningIn this third part of the Halftones series we take a look at the factors tht influence how we create halftone artwork for screenprinting. A dot is not just a dot you know.

What You Need to Know About Pollution Prevention in Your ShopProtecting yourself, your employees and your community are just a few reasons why you want to be sure that your shop is compliant with all of the current safety regulations. One of the most important areas of safety that is often overlooked is the ventilation of your print shop.

The Digital Opportunity in Wide Format PrintingScreen printers are rightly proud that they are part of an ancient tradition that is as much an art form as carrying out an industrial process. While digital inkjet printing has none of those familiar associations, it does offer technical and economic solutions to the very real challenges faced by today's screen printers.

Squeegees: How to Use Them - Part 1: Setting UpThanks to the previous article on squeegees: 'Squeegees: How to Choose Them', you, no doubt, own the perfect squeegee for the type of job you want to print. Now we're going to show you how to put that squeegee to work.

The New Printing and Decorating Growth Using SublimationHi I’m John Benedetto and it has been over four years since I have written an article for SignIndusrty.com. My articles on screenprinting are still available on this site and are still read to this day. I have been building screenprinting machines and training for the last 10 years.

Squeegees: How to Choose ThemSqueegees are used in every form of screenprinting from the solitary printer pulling prints by hand to the most sophisticated automatic cylinder presses. In fact, if a squeegee isn't involved, it just isn't screenprinting.

Exposing Direct Emulsions: Finding Your Exposure UnitWhen you get into exposing your own screens one of your most critical jobs will be finding a good exposure unit. The first thing you’ll discover is that an exposure unit will probably be one of the most expensive pieces of equipment in your shop. But this is one piece of equipment you don’t want to skimp on because it can have a major impact on your bottom line.

UV or Not UV in ScreenPrinting InksIn recent years probably no area of screenprinting has developed faster than UV printing. As a commercially viable technology its history is barely three decades old, but today it competes readily with the solvent-based screenprinting inks

Getting Into Screen InkIt's not an exaggeration to say that ink is the lifeblood of the screenprinting industry. So, once you've mastered fundamentals like getting ink to stick to your substrate, it's really worth your while to get to know a little more about ink itself.

Getting into InkIt’s not an exaggeration to say that ink is the lifeblood of the screenprinting industry. So, once you’ve mastered fundamentals like getting ink to stick to your substrate, it’s really worth your while to get to know a little more about ink itself.

Expose Yourself Continued: Coating to SuitWhen we talk about direct emulsion stencils, the inevitable question arises: How thick a coating of emulsion do you need to get good results? The complete answer to that question depends on a number of factors.

Mesh Part II: The Tension RisesIf you look back over the history of screen printing, you can see a definite parallel between growing awareness of the importance of mesh tension and the use of higher tensioned screens.

SublimationDigital Textile Inkjet Printing: Current State of TechnologyThe development of digital textile printing has profoundly affected the design, creation, understanding and use of textiles. In fact, the technology has reached such levels of performance and speed that it no longer is considered as being useful for only sampling and low volume runs.

Optimizing Art Files For Garment ProductionRegardless of the type of garment decorating you do, it is always important to set up and optimize your files properly prior to production, to make sure to get the best possible end product.

New Advancements in Fabric Printing Technology Drive GrowthThe rapid evolution of digitally printed fabrics over the past few years has caused explosive growth as more output providers continue to jump on the bandwagon. In fact, digital textile printing was one of the fastest growing market sectors, reaching 10 percent growth in 2013 compared with 2012, according to Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI).

A Look at Dye SublimationDye sublimation transfer printing has established itself as the preferred technique for printing polyester woven and knitted fabrics in the apparel and home decoration markets.

Digital Textile Printing Has Come of AgeOne only needs to look at what is happening in other parts of the world to see that now is the time for companies in North America to invest resources to participate in the projected growth of digital textile printing.

Maximizing Digital: Print-and-Cut Heat TransfersDigital means many things to different decorators. As a term in our industry, it is commonly associated with the boom in either wide-format digital print imaging or with direct-on-garment printing. Either way, digital is leading-edge and contains many technologies. One key technology with multiple uses is the digital print-and-cut process for fabric embellishment.

Digital Technologies and the Apparel Decorator, Part IIn Part I of this series, we will look at the importance of integrating digital technology and the methodology of inkjet transfers. In Part II, we cover laser transfers, dye sublimation, heat-applied vinyl, and print-and-cut media. Finally, Part III dives into heat-set media and direct-to-garment inkjet as ways to empower your shop.

New Research Shows Influence of Digital Textile PrintingFor at least 10 years, there has been a lot of discussion about the possibilities and potential for inkjet in the textile printing business. One of the first industry events I ever attended was dedicated to the subject. At the time, the suggestion was that as inkjet technology developed, there would be a dramatic shift in the way textiles are printed, including the garment-type textile printing methods.

The Growing Market for Dye SublimationDye Sublimation focuses on two primary areas, including sublimation to textiles/soft fabrics as well as rigid substrates, dye sublimation enables the production of items such as point-of-sale applications, banners, t-shirts, custom flags, license plates, snowboards and promotional pieces.

Cast vs. Calendered Vinyl FilmsLearn the differences and why to use the right vinyl in the right application. A quick read through this article will help you understand all the ins and outs of calendered and cast vinyl.

Vehicle Wrapping Contracts 101: Wrapping vehicles without a signed contract that spells out what the customer should expect - and shouldn't expect - from your sign shop is a mistake that could cost you. Find out how to avoid liabilities with a solid contract.

Benefits of Vehicle WrappingNeed some help selling vehicle wraps? Trade groups, sign shops and market researchers have ammunition to help you seal the deal.

The Importance of Quality Installation Training and TechniquesQuality installers practice their craft daily, and know that the learning process is never-ending. Through their interaction with others in the industry, quality installers are quick to learn about cutting-edge materials, tools and techniques. The best installers are the ones with the most comprehensive knowledge and experience.

A Closer Look at Calendered Vinyl FilmCalendered films of today are providing many high-performance options that were once only attributable to cast films. The once labeled 'intermediate' vinyl film has matured significantly over the last ten years. Read on to learn more.

The Importance of Installation Site AuditsCustomers do not typically know why or how audit details impact their project, but your installers and you - the industry graphic experts - should make it a priority to educate them.

Engineering & Testing Graphics for Reliable PerformanceHow confident are you that your customers' graphics will look good for the life of the intended applications? To help protect your customers' brands (and your reputation) this article discusses the necessary tests, standards and questions you should be asking your suppliers when it comes to graphic performance in a variety of environments.

A Closer Look at Graphics Installers For many graphic projects, installation is the final, critical step toward a successful result. Many graphic producers utilize the skills and expertise of Professional Decal Application Alliance (PDAA) installers to complete a broad range of installations. To learn more about these installers and the services they provide, Dan Marx, Managing Editor of the SGIA Journal, interviewed three PDAA Master Certified Installers: Rob Ivers of Rob Ivers, Inc., Pete Kouchis of VisuCom Graphics and Rick Stemmler of Creative Sign Resources.

Pressure Sensitive Films 101As manufacturers, printers and installers work to increase their profitability and build their reputations and customer bases, it is important to master the art of working with all film options available. When it comes to film types and recommendations, installers know what has worked for them in the past and what materials they like working with. They look to print shops for more than printing or packaging the final materials and they want you to provide solutions.

Avoiding Boat Wrapping MistakesVinyl is expensive. So is your reputation. Learn how to avoid the boat wrapping mistakes that could hurt your pocket-and your good name.

Boat Wrapping Secrets You Need to KnowIn case you haven't noticed, boats are curvier than most cars. That can spell trouble if you don't approach a boat wrap the right way. Discover the boat wrapping secrets you need to know.

Getting Ready to Wrap a Boat?Wrapping boats isn't rocket science-and you can learn a lot from your vehicle wrapping endeavors-but installing vinyl on a boat is different than applying vinyl to a vehicle. Find out why.

Cast vs. Calendered Vinyl, Learn The Big DifferencesLearn the differences and why to use the right vinyl in the right application. There huge differences and a quick read through this article will help you understand all the ins and outs of calendered and cast vinyls.

Vehicle Wrapping Contracts 101: Wrapping vehicles without a signed contract that spells out what the customer should expect - and shouldn't expect - from your sign shop is a mistake that could cost you. Find out how to avoid liabilities with a solid contract.

Factors Impacting Vinyl Removal, Part ILearning what vinyl film is, the impact that the environment and the surface finish has on vinyl are all factors that will help you deal with the ultimate need to remove vinyl graphics.

Take it Off...Vinyl that is.Right now there are multiple opportunities to create a tremendous cash stream. The question is, “Which companies will recognize the opportunities, respond to them, and thrive?”

Wrapping Tropicana FieldRead a first hand example of how vinyl wraps are playing a key role in both aesthetics, communications and advertising in stadiums across the country.

Special Tools for Textured Surface Stadium Wraps3M has developed special application tools and methods for use with its 8624 film. The 3M Textured Surface Applicator TSA-1 for large surfaces is critical for achieving proper adhesion. Find out what else is new.

Stadium Advertising: A Sporty OpportunityWhy do you need to understand the advertising opportunities in stadiums? So you can help to sell it to your client. Discover what you need to know about stadium wrappings sporty opportunity.

Wrapping the FairIf you think wrapping mega slides is the same as wrapping cars, think again. Discover how to navigate the challenges that could spell opportunity for you.

Taking Care of Your Digital GraphicsInstalling graphics is only part of the job of selling wraps and flat surface installs. You need to make sure your end user is aware of how to properly care for their graphics once they are installed.

Removing Floor GraphicsNow that you’ve mastered installing floor graphics, what are you going to do when its’ time to remove them? Find out!

Surviving and Profiting from the Economy, IntentionallyRegardless of whether an inevitable slow period results from the economy, from competition or from other sources outside the control of the business owner or manager, it is never too late to employ slow period survival strategies in your sign business.

The Rundown on Calendered Vinyl FilmsCalendered vinyl films were once thought of as an inferior economical choice, but some calendered vinyl film manufacturers have come a long way in terms of product quality and breadth, by offering conformability, durability and that image pop that is required for the application.

Extreme Makeover: Business Signage EditionFastsigns International, Inc. chose 4 different businesses to receive a signage makeover. The four businesses chosen for the makeovers pondered many of the same things when they learned that they were selected for this free signage makeover. Would it draw in new customers? Would it boost sales? Would anyone even notice? The results speak for themselves.

SGIA '06: Show Recap 'Exhibiting the Future Now'When SignIndustry.com visits friends at the SGIA Expo, we are never surprised at the level of professionalism, expertise, and creativity that is displayed down the isles, in the booths, and at the seminars. SGIA '06 was no exception producing a special excitement in the air with abundant energy and a sense of exhilaration.

Snapshot of the Sign Industry 3rd Quarter 2006SignIndustry.com went looking at a handful of companies from various areas of the country as well as different segments of our industry to put our finger on the pulse and determine the state of the industry and where we are heading.

Vinyl Graphic Removal Made EasyVinyl removal can be a pain…that's a fact, but there's a new kid on the block that can help to make your vinyl removal projects less labor intensive and quicker to complete. And that's worth reading about.

Wrapping VegasThe basic elements are the same with wraps of all sizes, but large mass transit wraps offer some additional challenges that offer valuable lessons from graphics installers of all shapes and sizes.

Trying to Make Sense of the Graphics Market MessUnderstanding your business and how it fits into the evolving U.S. graphics industry may well be vital in your survivial in the changing marketplace involving screen printing, wide-format imaging and your sign shop. Part 1 of a 3 part series.

To Airbrush or Not To Airbrush?Butch ‘Superfrog’ Anton shares his views on what tools to use to create airbrushed effects on vinyl. What you discover may surprise you.

Do You Speak the Language of Color?The language of color is vast, with deep meanings that speak to the subconscious of consumers. Understanding its meanings can help your sales.

C-C-Corrugations…Never Fear, Expert Advise is Here!Applying vinyl over rivets is one thing. Applying vinyl over corrugation is quite another. But don’t let that stop you. If you can learn to apply vinyl over corrugation, then you can tap into the lucrative world of fleets.

Unlocking the Psychology of SignageSuccessful sign making depends on effective visual communication. Understanding how consumers relate to signage, then, is key to helping your customers unlock the door to greater revenues.

Vinyl: Choosing Airbrush PigmentsNo two airbrush pigments are created equal. Find out how to choose the best pigment for your specific project. Should you use water-based paints? Automotive paints? Or solvent-based paints? Find out the pros and cons of each option.

Rent, Lease or Finance Your Sign EquipmentFind the right answer to the question of whether your sign business should rent, lease or own the equipment used in your operations. Few sign professionals are able to accept the fact that there is no one right answer that fits everyone or every situtation.

Cast vs. Calendered VinylLearn the differences and why to use the right vinyl in the right application. A quick read through this article will help you understand all the ins and outs of calendered and cast vinyl.

Starting a New Sign BusinessFor those who are considering venturing into a new business in the sign industry, we welcome you to the family. The sign profession is one of the oldest in our country. Signs have been a fundamental element in trade, commerce and industry for centuries.

Why You Should Invest in True Sign Making SoftwareEveryone always claims that their software is the best. This article has taken a few of the foremost signage specific software products and gives you insight into what makes them worthy to take their seat in your shop. Read on to learn more.

Training Your Signshop To Use New Equipment & SoftwareTo produce eye-catching, quality prints and signs, printing machines and software require skilled operators. One way operators acquire their skill is through training. Delve inside to catch the scoop on the different options available to take advantage of all the features of your equipment and software.

Dealing with the 'R' Word...RivetsLearn the time-tested techniques of how to properly apply vinyl over rivets. Discover a five-step process that will help you deal with these annoying, yet necessary fasteners.

How to Sell Your Airbrushed VinylButch 'Superfrog' Anton shares his secrets of his success in selling airbrushed vinyl. Hint: it’s a three-tiered pricing approach. Read on to learn more.

Tips and Tricks for Installing Cut Vinyl Vehicle GraphicsWith the recent focus of the graphics industry being primarily on digital, we have been conditioned to think of vehicle graphics as full wraps. What we tend to forget is that cut vinyl graphics are a cost-effective alternative to full wraps and remain a very popular and effective method for decorating your vehicle or mobile advertisement.

So You Want To Be a Vinyl ProBefore you can claim professional installer status, you have to learn the basics to avoid common mistakes. Discover some fundamentals tips that will serve you well for many years.

Which Sign Making Software Should You Own? Part 2Looking into ''Bridge'' software. There are many factors to include in your decision such as, your budget, the type of signs you intend to make, the kind of hardware such as cutters and printers that you want to run and of course the difficulty in learning the feature set of the software.

Can I Apply Vinyl to This?Vinyl is a profitable trend, but attempting to apply film to certain substrates is a money-losing proposition.

Applying Vinyl to GlassInstalling window graphics takes knowledge, skill and a steady hand. Find out how to ensure bubble-free applications.

VEHICLE WRAPS COVER UPS: the world is watching Vehicle and fleet wraps are efficient and effective means for placing outdoor signage in plain sight by turning a bus, truck, touring vehicle or car into a mobile billboard that puts a client's advertising all over the place.

Which Signmaking Software Should You Own? Part 1Deciding which software to purchase for your sign making needs can be a difficult task. We'll outline a few of the softwares out today and help you to decide which one best fits your business.

PSA Vinyl Usage Trends Vector Marketing released their 2002 PSA Vinyl Trends Report in December of 2002. This report is an in-depth look at PSA vinyl usage and purchasing trends in the U.S. sign and screen-print markets.

Venturing into Vehicle WrappingIf you’ve been considering adding vehicle wrapping to your repartee, then you won’t want to miss part one in this three part series on vehicle wrapping.

Wrap It Up, I'll Take It!Today’s market rewards the sign business that can provide customer satisfaction. Sometimes providing that satisfaction requires that you diversify and offer a variety of products and services.